Ronald C. Kenney – formerly of Belle Vernon

Ronald C. Kenney, 67, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Ill. He was born on June 23, 1953, the fifth of nine children to the union of George and Ruth Kenney in North Charleroi. One older brother, Kenneth was born prior to this union and preceded him in death. Ron was raised #IAmAME and baptized at Speer Street African Methodist Episcopal Church in Belle Vernon. He loved the Lord and relied on Godly strength throughout his earthly journey. His mother played the piano in the church choir and this is where Ron acquired his passion and love for music, playing guitar, keyboards and singing along to his favorite classic rock jams. Ron was educated in the Valley School System and graduated from Belle Vernon Area High School in 1971. Ron followed his older brother Kenneth and sister in love, Fran, moving to Chicago in 1981. He met and married Mary Wiley and became a bonus dad to Carol, Fred and Marlon. Ron continued to be an important part of their lives and was an enthusiastic grandfather to Antoine, Marissa, Kenneth, AJ and Zackary and great-grandfather to Kyara, Akyra and Jordyn. Professionally, Ron had a gift for gab and spent his career as a sales executive, retiring from AT&T in 2008. The mystery of God at work – an online dating site is how Ron met Tracey in September 2005. Their first date was a Northwestern vs. Penn State football game in Evanston, Ill, and when Tracey could dissect the defense’s zone blitz scheme; it was love at first sight! If you know Ron, you know he LOVED football and could watch ANY game from the NFL all the way down to Pee-Wee league! Ron and Tracey married on Aug. 2, 2008, in Chicago, Ill. Ron and Tracey shared a passion for the Lord, family and friends, travel, cooking and sports, and while they shared no children together, they welcomed canine companionship into their home and added Hunter in 2007 and Giggles in 2011. Hunter crossed the rainbow bridge in the sky on April 1, 2019, but Giggles remains to provide smooches and soul-keeping joy! Ron valiantly battled many health challenges in recent years and so on Jan. 9, 2021 at 11:41 p.m. Ron answered the call to enter his mansion prepared by Jesus. Ron “fought the good fight; he finished his race and has earned his heavenly crown.” He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Kenney; brothers, Kenneth (Fran), George and Dennis (Brenda); and sisters, Diane and Trudy. Ron leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Tracey; children, Carol, Fred and Marlon (Bayiana); grandchildren Antoine, Marissa, Kenneth, AJ and Zackary; great-grandchildren, Kyara, Akyra and Jordyn; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Marion Hardman; brothers, Terrance, Rodney (Mary Anne), Gerald (Rozell) and Gregory (Patricia); nephews, Carlton, Koby and Dennis; nieces, Raelynn, Nicole, Nina, Natalie, Naomi, Janelle and LeAndrea; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, family members and friends. A memorial service will be held in Belle Vernon in the late spring/early summer. In lieu of flowers, please prayerfully consider donating in Ron’s honor to The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) or The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).