Goodbye, Grandpa Kenrick

James F. Kenrick, Sr.
1924 - 2009

James F. Kenrick, Sr., died peacefully at his home in Dearborn, surrounded by his family, July 23, 2009. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Kenrick was born August 9, 1924, in Detroit to Patrick and Mary Kenrick. James attended St. Gabriel’s Elementary School and Holy Redeemer High School in Southwest Detroit.

He graduated in the summer of 1942. Dad survived a serious automobile accident that same summer. He was in St. Joe’s Hospital for 35 days, 23 days of which he was in a coma. After his recovery, James enlisted in the US Army in March, 1943. However, the injuries from the auto accident led to an Honorable Discharge later that same year.

James went on to work various jobs until the age of 25 when he started his own business, Warren Family Farms (better known as Kenrick’s Catering). The business thrived for 29 years until he sold it in 1979. Later that summer, in order to fulfill a lifelong promise to his wife Joyce, James moved his family to Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, where they resided for seven years. Missing his children and grandchildren, James and Joyce moved back to Dearborn into a house across the street from their favorite church, the Church of the Divine Child.

James and Joyce were happily married for over 61 years creating a legacy of 12 children, 37 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mr. Kenrick is survived by his loving wife, Joyce and children, Mary (Ken) Baker, Patricia (Larry) Yavello, James (Julie) Kenrick, Joseph (Cyndi) Kenrick, Grace (Dave) Lucas, Marguerite (Rick) Petersen, Tim (Sheri) Kenrick, Harold Kenrick, John (Ellen) Kenrick and Gerard (Angie) Kenrick. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jason (Laura) Covitz, Teressa Covitz, Sarah (Brett) Huffman, Genevieve Yavello, Andrew Yavello, Clare (fiancé Nate Thornton) Yavello, James F. Kenrick III, Rosemary Kenrick, Christopher Kenrick, Patrick Kenrick, Emily Kenrick, Rachel Kenrick, Ian Kenrick, Hannah Kenrick, Michelle (Scott) Schommer, David Lucas, Garrett Lucas, Maria (Eric) Beller, Katelyn Petersen, Kenrick Petersen, Maggie (Tommy) Doherty, Emma Petersen, Lauren Petrillo, Patrick Petrillo, Robert Petrillo, McKenzie Kenrick, Keegan Kenrick, Kelsey Kenrick, Connor Kenrick, Logan Kenrick, Mitch Kenrick, Mallory Kenrick, Daniel Kenrick, Evan Kenrick, Marissa Kenrick, Max Kenrick, Mick Kenrick, great- grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, Sean, Jake, Kai, Lucas, Madeline, Nora, John and Ryder, sister, Anna (Al) Wood, and sister-in-law Josephine Kenrick.

Mr. Kenrick is preceeded in death by his daughters, Joyce and Gemma Kenrick, sister, Madeline (Jack) Maxwell, and brothers, Jack Kenrick, Don Kenrick, and Pat (Frances) Kenrick.

Funeral Mass at Church of the Divine Child, 1055 N. Silvery Lane, Dearborn, Monday 9:30am. Visitation at Voran Funeral Home, 23701 Ford Road, Dearborn, Sunday 3-9pm. Prayers, Sunday 7pm. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

Memorials appreciated to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, Michigan, 48154 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 36520 Grand River Avenue, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48335.