ROCKLAND — David Kenney, 69 died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family following a long illness on the early morning of February 15, 2021.

Born in Rockland, August 13, 1951 he was the son of Neal Vanderbilt, II and Ercell Mae Widdecombe Kenney. He was one of seven children and grew up in Rockland school district. He discovered his love of the ocean at the early age of four, learning to be a lobsterman with his father and brothers.

When David graduated RDHS in 1969 he was soon drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War. After an honorable medical discharge he returned to the ocean and his family for his lifelong love of fishing and raising his daughter with the help of his ever caring mother.

David had many talents, and was one of the best scallop deck hands with the fastest cutting record on many boats in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He had many great stories of days in his leather jacket. For many years he was a sous-chef at the Black Pearl and Chuck Wagon restaurants. He could make a mean seafood casserole, lobster stew and lasagna. David was a lobster stern man for many years, peddled lobster and shrimp and was one of the best eel fisherman on the river with his step-daughter, Renee. He and Renee also shared a love of hunting together near the farm in Warren as well as hunting for bear and moose in the “North country.”

Throughout David’s life he loved sport fishing for striped bass on many rivers in Maine. He enjoyed sharing his passion with his daughters, taking them and family members out on the boat. Over the years they enjoyed many lobster bakes with very fond memories of making lobster men out of shells. David used to joke and laugh, giving his daughter, Annie, the “claw” with his hand and she would giggle and smile at her Daddy. Something he loved and laughed about later in life was playing with his granddaughter, Lexi, one of the greatest loves of his life, as she would squeal in laughter and always come back for more.

Predeceased by his mother and father and his two brothers, Neal Ruben Kenney, lost at birth, and his loving younger brother Neal V. Kenney III; and sister-in-law Judy Royce; David is survived by his daughter, Annie Geneva Kenney and his granddaughter Alexis Mae Maiorino of Bow, New Hampshire; step-daughter, Renee Grover of Cushing; sisters and brothers, Lucy Kenney of Rockland, Robert Royce of Hope, Susan Kelley and her husband Kevin of Spruce Head Island, Dianna Trueman and her husband Lawrence of St. George; as well as many loving nieces and nephews and their children.

David leaves behind many friends including Peggy Kenney of Warren and numerous fishing and hunting buddies that he’s traded so many stories and good times with along the way.

He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. May he “have fair winds and following seas” forever resting in peace.

Friends and relatives are invited greet the family at a “walk-through” visitation, Friday, February 19, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

Due to present restrictions, all are asked to wear a mask, and enter and then exit the building after a brief visit to give all in attendance the time and distance to greet the family.

To share a memory or condolence with the Kenney family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.