Obituary of Robert Kenyon

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert Kenyon announces his passing at Pine Grove Nursing Home on March 8, 2024.  He had been a resident at Pine Grove for approximately 17 months and died peacefully surrounded by his immediate family. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Pine Grove for the exceptional care provided to Robert and his family during his time there.

Born in Erith, England on February 4, 1940, he was the son of the late James and Dorothy (Steele) Kenyon. He was passionate about education and dedicated his life to teaching. He taught briefly in Bromley, U.K. before emigrating to Canada and spending 40 years teaching geography at Oromocto High School, a profession he enjoyed so much that he would often say that “he never worked a day in his life”. He taught with the faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick, co-authored multiple textbooks for middle school-aged children, taught English as a Second Language at St. Thomas and UNB and never missed the chance to educate family and friends on all the interesting rock formations that were all around us. He believed in giving back to society and this was the best way he knew to contribute.

Additionally, he was active in the Multicultural association of Fredericton and enjoyed helping newcomers with their language skills and teaching them Canadian history to help them with their citizenship exams, something he finally did himself in 1998. Outside of teaching formally, he liked to dish out life lessons on the tennis court, learn them on the golf course, and partake in them through a lifelong love of theater and music. Unable to play an instrument and unable to carry a tune when singing couldn’t stop him from participating and he finally found his calling, singing with the Golden Club choir in later years. He was a talented thespian, something his students found out daily; he enjoyed directing drama club at OHS, acting whenever they would let him, and participating in Stepping Stones community theater later in life. He loved his family, was proud of his children and especially grandchildren, and always loved his furry family members. Growing up a dog lover, he always loved being a “dog father” and “grandfather” and was always looking for opportunities to get them out on walks and show them off around the neighborhood. His love of land and people was demonstrated as an avid traveler. From driving across North America in the 60’s, continental Europe in the 70’s, he continued to explore as much of the world as he could throughout his life, particularly with his wife Elaine on their many excursions throughout Europe and the Americas.
 
Surviving is his wife, Elaine; son, Christopher Kenyon (Jennifer Jones) and their children Madison and Ava in Halifax, NS; sister, Sandra (Kenyon) Witmond (Clive) in Cromer, UK; niece, Sarah Witmond (Kevin) and her son Callum in Cromer, UK; nephew, Tony Witmond (Mandy) and his sons Tony and Oliver in the UK; nephew, Michael Witmond (Maddie) and his children Daisy and Zachary in Sweden and UK; brother-in- law, Wayne Tomilson (Paula) in Fredericton, NB; his nephew Peter Tomilson (Stephanie Underhill) and their children Ella and Ryan in Fredericton, NB, and nephew Scott Tomilson (Makiko Suzuki) and
their children Naoki and Natsuki in Vancouver, BC. He was predeceased by his son Jonathan.
 
Arrangements have been entrusted to McAdams Funeral Home, a Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, beginning at 11am, at the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel in Fredericton. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Robert Kenyon to the Alzheimer’s Association of Canada or the Pine Grove Foundation.