Frederick P. Kenney

Fred was born on August 8, 1936, to Frederick and Margaret Daly Kenney in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fred graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1954 and attended Florida State University on a baseball scholarship as a pitcher and helped lead the Seminoles to their first appearance in the College World Series. He was also the Commander of Sigma Nu fraternity. FSU is where he met his wife of 64 years, Ann Nielsen. They married in 1959 at St.Juliana Catholic Church in West Palm Beach.

After receiving his Master’s in Education at FSU, the couple moved to Turners Falls, MA, where he taught history and coached a scrappy little-known high school basketball team to the state championship. The couple then moved to Connecticut where Fred was a guidance counselor.

In 1967, Fred and Ann returned to West Palm Beach and Fred started his 55-year career as a Financial Advisor. While at Wachovia Securities he was awarded the prestigious Wachovia Way Award for a lifetime of personal and professional achievements. Loyal and devoted to his profession, every decision he made was with his clients in mind, including waiting to retire at 85 from Wells Fargo Advisors.

Fred loved sports as a player, coach, and fan. As a coach, he mentored countless young athletes, instilling in them the skills of the game and the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and hard work, qualities that he impressed upon his children as well.

As a fan he especially loved the Miami Dolphins, a loyalty that spanned 52 years as a season ticket holder. Ever the optimist, Fred held onto hope of witnessing another perfect season. He was also a longtime season ticket holder of the Heat and the Marlins. Fred equally loved the FSU Seminoles and in 2019 was named the Inaugural Member of the Emeritus Society of the Palm Beach County Seminole Club.

His biggest joy in life, other than his family, was interacting with others. A quick trip to Publix often turned into a two-hour event because he loved to stop and talk with everybody. Family summers in Massachusetts held a special place in his heart, as did all dogs, travel, and his Irish heritage.

Fred is survived by his wife Ann and their four children Philip Kenney (Jo Ann), Kristen Kenney-Knight, Ted Kenney (Krissy) and Tiffany Kenney Wiseman (Scott) and his eight grandchildren Alexandra and Katherine Knight (father, Edward Knight) Knight, Shannon Kenney, Megan Kenney, Caroline Wiseman, Beck Wiseman, Kaitlin Kenney and Christian Kenney, and his beloved dog, Georgie.

The family will receive visitors to honor Fred on Thursday, May 16, from 5-8pm at The National Croquet Center, 700 Florida Mango Road in West Palm Beach. There will be a private burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Pathways to Independence, a program to enrich the lives of disabled adults. 401 Northlake Blvd. North Palm Beach, 33408.