Francis Joseph Kenney

Our incredible father, Francis "Frankie" Joseph Kenney, 69, was unexpectedly called to his final rest on November 23rd, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the first-born in a family that would grow by leaps and bounds in the years to come; not only in number, but also in love. Eileen and Francis Kenney welcomed him to the world on August 13th, 1956. We take comfort knowing that they are reunited with their beloved son.

Francis is survived by countless loved ones including his wife of 34 years, Edith Rojas-Kenney, two daughters and one son-in-law: Ali (Chris) and Megi, and three grandchildren: Javi, Leo, Nico. He leaves behind his 10 brothers and sisters: Mary, Robert (Emmet), Kevin, Eileen, Anne Marie, Kathleen, Jeanne, Elizabeth, Patricia, Carole and 26 nieces and nephews. Our father also impacted the lives of his many, many dear friends.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Frankie went on to have many homes and visit countless places. He attended Catholic elementary, middle, and high school in Garden City on Long Island where he lived on the famous (at least to our family) Poplar Street with his loving family. He and his brothers always enjoyed playing basketball in their driveway, so much so that they adopted a tradition of including a pick-up game before each of their weddings. He continued his schooling at Hofstra University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree, graduated with the honor of Magna Cum Laude, and became a member of the Phi Betta Kappa Honor's Society.

In search of himself in his young adult life, our father decided to join his brother Emmet in Miami, Florida. It was here that he held one of his favorite positions as a bartender at Duffy's. Though he worked every single job one could possibly work in a restaurant aside from line cook, Frank enjoyed bartending the most. Perhaps because connecting with others was his strong suit. He also met his beloved wife, Edi, in Miami, Florida. Their love story included a twist of fate one only finds in cinema. We are eternally grateful to have witnessed a relationship that truly felt like destiny. Frank also held his most esteemed position at a Miami based organization as Controller at Ingham Retirement Group. Over 20 years ago, our mother and father moved us to Newark, Delaware. Our time spent there with our dad was nothing short of idyllic. Every Sunday morning, Dad brewed a pot of coffee and played the coolest music. He had an ear for talent and creativity and passed on an immense passion for music to us. Three years ago, Frank and Edi moved down to Raleigh, North Carolina to be with their daughters. Here, he was able to meet his sweet grandchildren and earn the title of 'Pop Pop'. In his retirement, he worked as the family Uber driving his wife, daughters, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews anywhere they needed to go. Although he lived in many different cities, home to Frank was a feeling, not a place. That feeling was good food, good music, good drinks, and most of all - good company.

Frank was Dad to us, but he was dear to so many. He had so many nieces and nephews to pass on his infinite wisdom, and just like his mother did before him, he loved all of us and each of us. Frank loved his grandchildren more in the short time he had with them than some people experience in a lifetime.

Although Frank's physical presence may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will continue to guide, uplift, and party with us. He is with you every time you finish a delicious cup of coffee or lose yourself in music. Frankie was without a doubt, the coolest guy we knew, throwing out casual sentences like "I actually saw Madonna before she was famous at an underground punk club in NYC." Despite being so incredibly kind, funny, and all-around awesome, he did not lead with ego. In fact, we hope that he knows now he was more than enough for us. If you find yourself sitting in the immense grief we all feel, please remember our father truly lived his life to the absolute fullest. He'd want you to do the same.

There will be a visitation at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh (831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604) on Monday, December 1st, from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh, NC 27606) on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation. The Foundation strives to meet the health and educational needs of children, with a focus on underserved populations, and to strengthen youth hockey in our community. Of course, if you knew Dad, you knew he was a huge Rangers fan (with the Canes as his second!), but we know he would be honored to help his local community and encourage the love of hockey.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com