Frederick Kenney, 1958–2025, devoted husband and father

Frederick “Fred” Hurd Kenney III died Thursday, Nov. 27 2025, in Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a period of failing health and illness. He was 67.

Fred was born Jan. 7 1958 in Waltham, one of four children of the late Frederick H. and Anna Rose (Corracio) Kenney, Jr. Raised in Watertown, he graduated from Watertown High School with the class of 1976. He married Waltham native Nancy E. Carroll on Nov. 8 1986 in Sacred Heart Church.

Fred was a jack of all trades with projects often on hand, and his interests were as varied as his talents. Aside from being a skilled plumber and having worked for Chase and Tolan Plumbers in Watertown, in earlier years he was a talented crafter working for King’s Upholstery. He loved a ride on the open road and fresh air on one of his Harley Davidson motorcycles. His lifelong passion for music motivated him to teach himself to read sheet music as well as take up various instruments including the guitar, saxophone, piano and harmonica. A lover of all things outdoors he loved a great hike with one of his many walking sticks, which he carved and whittled himself. 

Fred will be remembered for his love and devotion for his family, unique fashion, poems he would write to his beloved Nancy and his care-free attitude of ‘you only live once’.

In addition to his wife of 39 years, Nancy, he leaves their children, David L. Kenney (Amanda Graves) of Jacksonville, Florida, Cassandra R. Kenney of Waltham, Catherine A. Janikian (Hatim) of Orange and John G. Kenney (Amanda Smith) of New Ipswich; his granddaughter, Lucine ‘Lu’ Janikian; his siblings, Geraldine Carchedi (Anthony) and Cynthia Poole (Tom), all of Ashland and Brian Kenney in New Hampshire; in-laws, George and Kathleen (Walsh) Carroll and Donna Delorey, all of Waltham; and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Fred’s life by gathering for an evening wake in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Friday morning where his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at a local cemetery to be determined.