MERIDEN - John O. Kenney, 84, loving husband of Patricia (Foote) Kenney had his final curtain call on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, after a brief illness. Born in Boston on Oct. 8, 1932, he was the son of the late John and Beatrice Kenney. He was adopted as a teenager by his grandparents, Lydia Kenney Jenness and Ray Jenness. He grew up in Boston, Mass., Nashua, N.H., and St. Johnsbury, Vt. having graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor of arts in English. Mr. Kenney taught English for three years in Pittsfield, Vt., and taught English, public speaking, and drama for 40 years at Maloney High School. John founded the International Thespian Society Branch at Maloney High School. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford, a former deacon and a longtime member of Center Congregational Church. John was a past vice president of the Friends of the Library, a past president of the Ysmen, member of the Meriden Arts Council, a cub scout master at Nathan Hale, on the Board of the Castle Craig Adult Learning Center, the Board of the Castle Craig Playhouse and a member of the Meriden Poetry Society. He was an award-winning poet and authored The Strange Hut. John enjoyed reading poetry at Connecticut Baptist Homes. John was a resilient and compassionate man who overcame his humble beginnings in an orphanage. His passions in life were his family, God, poetry, theater, and his students. He was affectionately known as "The Bookworm" by all who loved him. Johnny-O was a drama enthusiast who directed shows for over 50 years in the community. His dedication to theater was acknowledged with the honor of the Maloney High School stage being named for him. "All the World's a Stage" Besides his wife Patricia, he is survived by his three daughters, Susan (Kenney) Trella (Ken), Robin (Kenney) Cusachs (Donald,) and Caitlin (Kenney) DePalma (Drew); his two sons, John Timothy Kenney, and Stephen Ray Kenney; his 10 grandchildren, Scott, Chelsea and Spenser Trella, Tyler and Reagan Kenney, Cathleen, Molly and Charlie Cusachs, and John "Jack" and Griffin DePalma. John is also survived by a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, Susan and Lawrence Browne, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Drs. Franklin and Shelley Foote; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Daniel Franklin Kenney; an aunt, V. Madge Johnson; a brother, Robert Kenney; and a sister, Marion Gifford. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Friday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. at Center Congregational Church, 474 Broad St., Meriden. A private burial will take place in Great Barrington, Mass. at a later date. Relatives and friends may call at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Elevator Fund at Center Congregational Church, 477 Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450 or to the Castle Craig Playhouse, 59 W. Main St., Meriden, CT 06451.