Joseph A. Kenlon was born to Francis X. and Marie Burke-Kenlon on June 8, 1928 in Mt Vernon, NY. He attended Our Lady of Victory Grade School, Mt. Vernon [1934-42]; Cathedral College HS, NYC [1942-42]; Blessed Sacrament HS, New Rochelle, NY [1943-46]; Iona College, New Rochelle, NY [1946-47] and Glenclyffe HS, Garrison, NY [1948-49]. Joseph entered the Capuchin Novitiate at Huntington, IN on August 31, 1949 where he received the name “Knute”. Following novitiate, Fr. Knute resided at Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY [1950-58] where he received his B.A. in Philosophy [1954] and his M. Div. in Theology [1958]. Father pronounced his solemn vows at Mary Immaculate Friary on September 1, 1953 and was ordained to the Priesthood on June 21, 1958 at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY. In 1967, Father received a M.A. in Educational Administration from the Catholic University of America. Following his ordination, Father ministered as an associate at Sacred Heart, Yonkers where he also served as a teacher in Sacred Heart HS [1958-1960]. Father then served as an associate at St. John the Baptist, NYC [1960-63] where he also worked with the Catholic Information Society. In 1963 Fr. Knute would spend the next 23 years as a missionary in the Marianas Islands. Father served as a teacher, Principal, and Administrator of Fr. Duenas Memorial HS and Pastor of several parishes in Agat [1970-71] and Mangilao, Guam [1976-79] and Chalan Kanoa [1971-76] and Garapan, Saipan [1979-80]. Upon returning to the States in 1980 Fr. Knute ministered as an associate at Our Lady of Sorrows, NYC [1980-86]; Wallkill Correctional Facility with residence at St. Joseph Friary, New Paltz, NY [1986-1999]; and preaching ministry with residence at St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn[1999-2001]. In his senior years, Father served as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph, New Paltz, NY [2001-02]; fraternity member of St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn, NY [2002-06]; and supply ministry at St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken, NY [2006-07]. Fr. Knute joined the senior fraternity of St. Clare, Yonkers, NY where he also served as chaplain of the Franciscan Sisters of Hastings [2007-09]. Father continued his residence at St. Clare until his death at Cabrini of Westchester, Dobbs Ferry, NY. Father was survived by his sister Mary Thompson [Jacksonville, NC]; his sister Jane Wands and supported by several loving nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703 on Monday, March 25, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. A Wake Service will be held at Whalen & Ball at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Ave.
Yonkers, N.Y. 10703
(914)965-5488
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