Benjamin C. Kenny

Benjamin Collins Kenny, age 91, of Catonsville, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Seasons Hospice in Randallstown, MD. Ben was born May 16, 1924 in Steubenville, Ohio to the late Thomas A. and Louise Kenny. He was a graduate of Mt. Lebanon (PA) High School, and received his Bachelors Degree from Bethany College, and a Masters Degree from Purdue University. On December 22, 1951, Benjamin married Nancy Cary of York, PA, whom he had met through a mutual friend who married Nancy’s sister, Martha. Together, they had a son, Benjamin Tappan Kenny, now of Norwalk, Ohio and married to Linda Williams, and a daughter, Margaret Churchill (Kenny) Heater, of Ellicott City. He had four grandchildren: Emily (Kenny) Prater, Katie Heater, William Kenny, and Andrew Heater; and three great-grand-daughters: Charlotte, Aubrey, and Brynn Prater. He greatly enjoyed visits from his family members. After completing his studies, Ben taught Mathematics at Lehigh University, then worked for an engineering contractor at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, making a home in Fort Walton Beach. He worked for most of his career as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric Co. in Baltimore, developing programming for a number of civilian and military applications. He raised his family in Catonsville, and together they enjoyed visits to Nancy’s parents on the Eastern Shore. Ben and Nancy enjoyed a monthly Bridge club, and he was an avid student and player of the Japanese game of Go, taking on anyone willing to try. Although formally trained in Mathematics, Ben had a wonderful way with words as well, helping lead a local Toastmaster’s club for many years, and members of the Catonsville Senior Center enjoyed his monthly poems published in the center’s newsletter for several years. Friends and family will miss his ready, dry, and very quick wit. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nancy, and his sister, Nancy (Nicki) Naramore. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2015, with a private burial at St. John’s Cemetery, Ellicott City, on Tuesday, December 1.