Obituary of James M. Kennek

James Martin Kennek, 56, of Mansfield, NJ, passed away peacefully from brain cancer November 11, 2012 at home with his loving wife at his side. Born: Jim was born in East Orange, N.J. to excited parents who eagerly awaited his arrival on February 14, 1956. Personal: In the fall of 1978, Jim met his soul mate, Julia Jakub. As fate would have it, Julie needing auto body repair, happened to bring her car in for an estimate at Jim's shop. It was only one year later when Jim and Julie were married. The two were inseparable and spent the next 32 years loving life together and raising a family. Jim liked the warm sun of summer, vacationing in the NY Finger Lakes and the Jersey Shore, wine tasting, fishing trips, bowling, fireworks, coin collecting, antique shopping, and country living. He was a huge fan of the GreenBay Packers and was fortunate to visit Lambeau field. He was an avid pet owner and had an exceptional fondness for Hermit crabs. Jimmy also loved the thrill of riding roller coasters; in his book it was "front row or we don't go." Every year, he always looked forward to the Halloween season. When it came to pumpkins, he could hardly wait to go pick out the biggest one! He lived his early life in Scotch Plains, until settling in Mansfield, N.J., 28 years ago. Jim graduated from Scotch-Plains High School in 1974 and then went on for post-secondary training in Auto Body mechanics. He loved his career and worked at various auto body shops for over 20 years, specializing in the perfection of car restoration and paint. Following auto repair, he earned his N.J. Stationary Engineer boiler license, joined the Local 68 Union Engineers, worked for Covanta Energy and then moved onto Montclair State University. Jim was known for his compassion, extraordinary kindness, big heart, witty sense of humor, and full bodied laugh. He was the ultimate nickname maker ('Boe' being his); in a gentle way, he pinned individuals with expressive and funny names. His smile, laughter and joy of kidding will be remembered by all. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Memberships: Jim was one of the first parishioners of St. Theodore's R.C. Church in Port Murray, NJ and later became a Master Mason with the Belvidere Masonic Temple. Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife, Julia; devoted children, Jesse Kennek of Liberty Township and Jaclyn Wallace and her husband, Dan, of Netcong and close sister, Anne Marie Harcarik and her husband, Bill; and caring nephews, Matthew and Michael of Flemington, NJ. Jim is predeceased by his parents, James Francis and Doris Marie of Neshanic Station, NJ. Services: Visitation will be held at Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 West Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ, on Thursday, November 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Theodore's RC Church. 855 Route 57, Port Murray, NJ 07865 with Father Zenek officiating the service. Interment will follow in the Union Cemetery, 800 Mountain Ave, Hackettstown, NJ. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Jim's favorite charity, Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation, 150 New Providence Road, Mountainside, N.J. 07092.