Obituary of Monsignor Walter F. Kenny
Msgr. Walter F. Kenny, former Pastor of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Larchmont, New York, from 1987 to 2007, died on September 25, 2025 at the age of 96.
Monsignor Kenny was born on October 3rd, 1928, in New York City, the son of Betty Mulligan Kenny and Michael Kenny. He attended St. Joseph's School in Harlem, New York, and Cathedral College Prep. Monsignor Kenny entered St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New York, and was ordained at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal Francis Spellman on May 14, 1954.
Monsignor Kenny attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, from 1954 to 1957 and received his degree in sacred theology. He was assigned to St. Joseph's Church in Yonkers in 1957. He was named a Monsignor in 1968.
He was appointed to the curia in 1961 and served as vice officialis from 1972 to 1977 and as officialis from 1981 to 1986 of the Metropolitan Tribunal. During that time, he resided at Church of Notre Dame, Morningside Heights and St. Lucy’s in Manhattan. He was vice chancellor and director of priest personnel from 1977 to 1981. He retired in 2007 but continued working in his retirement as Pastor Emeritus at St. Augustine until 2021.
In 2021, he moved to the John Cardinal O’Connor Clergy Residence for retired priests of the Archdiocese of New York, where he lived until his passing. Msgr. Kenny is survived by his loving and devoted sister, Dolores Kenny Horsting, and his nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Kenny O’Keefe and Eileen Kenny Tramposch, as well as his niece, Carol, and his nephews, John and Ken.
Monsignor Kenny was the beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and their growing families. As a reflection of his love and dedication to his family, Monsignor Kenny administered various Sacraments to his 19 nieces and nephews and their 39 children. He will always be remembered by his family, friends, and parishioners as a revered man of God, a devoted brother and uncle, a quietly competitive athlete, and for his dry and witty sense of humor.
We will miss you. Thank you for all your blessings, support, and love over the years.
The family will receive friends at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 18 Cherry Lane, Larchmont, NY, on Friday, October 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4th, 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, NY.
"In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. John Vianney Clergy Residence, 5655 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471"
