Hugh W. Kenworthy Jr., 80, of Kendall died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at the Serenity House in Tomah, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born March 4, 1933, in Fall River, Mass., to Hugh W. Sr and Ella (Townley) Kenworthy. He graduated from Case High School in Swansea, Mass. On Oct. 4, 1952, Hugh was united in marriage to Irene Durand. From 1953 to 1975, he worked for Texas Instruments in Attleboro, Mass., where he was a department supervisor for 16 years. In his youth, he coached several little league baseball teams. In 1975, Hugh moved their family from Rehoboth, Mass., to a dairy farm in the town of Wilton, which was his lifelong dream. While settling here in Wisconsin, he worked for the Farmers Town Mutual Insurance Co. in the Tomah Area. He also was an active member of the National Farmers Organization.
In 1988, Hugh and Irene joined the Peace Corp. Together they traveled to numerous places, volunteering their time with the Peace Corp. One of the most memorable trips was to the jungles of Ecuador. Hugh was a faithful and devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tomah. He served as an elder of the church and was an active member within the church organization. Along with raising his family, Hugh led a simple life, in which he enjoyed all of God’s graces. In his spare time, he enjoyed volunteer work and helping others. He was a gracious neighbor and for many years drove the Amish into town. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene; 10 children, Hugh III and Debra (Rose) Kenworthy, Robert and Pauline (St. Pierre) Kenworthy, Diane (Kenworthy) and Dan Davis, Nathan and Kathleen (Secatore) Kenworthy, Mark and Susan (Honish) Kenworthy, John and Christine (Hemmersbach) Kenworthy, Jessica (Kenworthy) and Brad Kortbein, Kathryn Kenworthy , Mary Beth (Kenworthy) and Roger Hilliard, and David and Carrie (Riffle) Kenworthy; 34 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Kenworthy and Jack (Gloria) Kenworthy; a sister, Joan Halloran; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant great-grandson, Richard Handorf; and a brother-in-law, Tom Halloran.
Hugh was blessed with many years of fulfilled dreams. Hugh was and is a model of love.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, corner of Foster and McLean Avenue, Tomah. Pastor Michael S. Tuionetoa will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery in the town of Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home in Tomah on Monday from 4–8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
