Raritan Township, NJ – James F. Kennek, 85, entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 24, 2006 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 beginning 9:15 am at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 followed by a 10:00 am funeral liturgy at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges. He will be entombed with his wife in the St. Magdalen's Mausoleum in Flemington. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the funeral home on Monday, November 27, 2006 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm and on Tuesday from 8:45am until service time.

Born in Long Island, NY to his late parents James C. and Emma (Burtzel) Kennek, he lived in Readington Township before settling to Raritan Township seven years ago.

Mr. Kennek enlisted in the Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States on June 8, 1942. At that time, he was 21 years of age and a student at the University of Georgia. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1944 and was honorably discharged from the army in 1945. He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Forestry from Duke University in North Carolina in 1947.

His aunt, Madeline, who worked as a supervisor in a Washington DC office, felt strongly about introducing him to a secretary by the name of Doris O'Brien. He courted Doris and they married in July 1951. They started their married life in East Orange NJ. Later that year, he landed the "big" job at Western Electric in Kearney, and moved to Scotch Plains, N.J. He worked at Western Electric for over 35 years and retired in 1986.

Mr. Kennek devoted much of his time to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges NJ and helped to found the church in 1984. On Oct 29, 1989, he was presented with the first Mother Seton award for outstanding service and ministry to the parish. He also served as parish coordinator and volunteer at the Flemington Food Pantry. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus Fr. Nelligan Council of Scotch Plains and the Lyons Club of Fanwood.


Besides his parents, James is predeceased by his loving wife, Doris M. Kennek who passed in February of 1999 and by a dear sister Jane Ann Shores, who passed in October 2005. He leaves behind a devoted daughter, Anne Marie Harcarik and her husband, Bill of Raritan Township; loyal son, Jim Kennek and his wife, Julie, of Oxford, NJ. He will be sadly missed by his four adored grandchildren and by many nieces and nephews.


Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, PO Box 686, Flemington, NJ