Robert V. Kenyon, Sr.

Robert Vincent "Bob" Kenyon, 91, of Port Charlotte, FL, died February 22, 2016 at 10:22 AM at Village Place Health & Rehabilitation in Port Charlotte. He had been recovering from emergency surgery earlier in the month, and suffered cardiac arrest following a beautiful shared morning with his wife of 68 years, Lucy Kenyon. Mr. Kenyon was born November 19, 1924 in Providence, RI. He was the son of Franklin Sault "Frank" Kenyon and Agnes Veronica Kenyon. He was the grandson of James McLellan Kenyon and Lucy Lee Kenyon of Westerly and Stonington, and John J. Carlos and Mary E. Costine Carlos of Providence. Mr. Kenyon is survived by his wife, Lucy, who he married on September 6, 1947 at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Providence, and his son Robert V. Kenyon Jr. (Cynthia Vahlkamp) of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his brothers, George Lee (Phyllis) Kenyon and William Joseph (Muriel) Kenyon; sister-in-law, Anna Viola Ruzzano Marseglia and brother-in-law Nicholas (Betty) Ruzzano. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Ann Kenyon; sister, Veronica Frances "Bonnie" Kenyon Lesh; two half-sisters, Rita Mattis and Ruth M. Kenyon, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law who are the children of Giacinto and Aurelia Carmela Nardolillo Ruzzano. Mr. Kenyon was the product of the Great Depression who left high school early so he could help support his family by working in the jewelry industry. He was drafted and served honorably and heroically in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1946, discharged at the rank of electrician's mate second class. Notably, Mr. Kenyon survived the kamikaze attack on his ship, the USS Borie, on August 9, 1945, at 2:56 PM in Tokyo Bay, just six days before Victory in Japan. This would be the last kamikaze attack of the war. Mr. Kenyon was awarded his long overdue medals in 2014 by Florida Representative Thomas Rooney and was recognized for his service by Rhode Island House Resolution 5266, sponsored by Representatives Charlene Lima and Bobby Nardolillo. Mr. Kenyon was gifted with mechanical and problem-solving aptitude, and displayed throughout his life great loyalty to work and family. These qualities enabled him to advance at the Providence Gas Company, working his way up from laborer to Area Supervisor before retiring in 1989 after over 30 years of service. Mr. Kenyon was inseparable from his wife, Lucy, and was a singularly supportive and loving influence on his son, Bob, whose education he encouraged and who never ceased thinking of his dad as "the tallest man in the world." He regarded his daughter-in-law Cynthia as a daughter, and was the beloved Uncle Bob to many, many loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Kenyon and his wife moved to Port Charlotte in 1997 where his easy style, sociability and love of line dancing attracted a wide circle of friends. Nonetheless, Mr. Kenyon never lost his affinity for all things Rhode Island -- no surprise, with Kenyon roots going back to the 1600s and a career during which he mastered every street in Providence and counties beyond. Mr. Kenyon received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11am, Friday, April 22, 2016 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte, FL, where he was a parishioner. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Kenyon's name to St. Charles Borromeo, 2500 Easy St, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.Ltaylorfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.