Archibald B. Kenyon, Jr.

ARCHIBALD BELMONT KENYON, JR., 89, passed away at South County Hospital in Wakefield, Rhode Island, on December 9, 2016. Archie, as he was known, was the son of the late Elsie (Smith) and Archibald B. Kenyon, and brother of the late M. Thelma Kenyon. For over 60 years, he practiced law, first in Providence, and then, for nearly 50 years, in the law firm now known as Kenyon Law Associates, LLP in Wakefield, Rhode Island. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1954 and continued to practice law up until days before his death. At various times, he served as town solicitor in the towns of South Kingstown and Richmond. Born in 1927, Archie grew up a swamp Yankee, hunting and fishing in rural Usquepaugh, Rhode Island, where his grandfather and then father owned the Kenyon Grist Mill, where corn meal for Johnny Cakes was ground. He graduated from South Kingstown High School and served in the U.S. Navy. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island and Georgetown University Law Center, he settled in Wakefield with his wife Elizabeth Ann, known as Betty Ann. Archie and Betty Ann were heavily involved in the civic life of South Kingstown. For many years, Betty Ann served on the School Committee and Archie served as the Town Moderator. Reflecting on Archie’s more than 50 years of involvement in town affairs, Steve Alfred, long-time Town Administrator, observed, “He cared deeply about the best interests of the town and was a ready source of reasoned advice.” With his caring nature and adventurous spirit, Archie made and kept friends easily. He leaves many dear friends from URI Tau Kappa Epsilon, Point Judith Yacht Club, the Elks, the Dunes Club, Point Judith Country Club, and River Bend Athletic Club. Some of his closest friendships were forged on playing fields in his youth and, in later years, on tennis courts, on the links, working out in the early morning, or at the helm of a sailboat. Archie was also a long time congregant of Christ the King Church. In his forties, he discovered a passion for sailing, racing every Sunday in his Cape Cod Knockabout on Point Judith Pond. After Betty Ann passed away in 1998, Archie sold their house and purchased a larger sailboat, at age 76. After dutifully polling his family, he named the vessel what they all knew he would: Betty Ann. For the last thirteen years, Archie cruised New England during the summer months and then sailed back and forth to Bradenton, Florida each spring and fall, making friends up and down the Eastern seaboard. The fact that, for over a dozen years, he pulled together crews for these long trips was an indication of the character of the Captain. Archie was a model for living a life of adventure, good humor, and kindness, to his children Susan Kenyon and her late husband Rick Abrams, Stephen Kenyon and his wife Laura, Michael Kenyon and his partner Tom Stockton, John Kenyon and his wife Renee, and grandchildren Archie Abrams, Caitlin Euler and her husband Richard, Kelly Kenyon LeValley and her husband Matt, Stan Abrams, Sydney Abrams, Taylor Kenyon, and Shane Kenyon. They will miss him greatly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 13th at 10 :00 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 12th from 3-7 p.m. at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial will be in New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Sail to Prevail, PO Box 1264, Newport, RI 02840, or the charity of your choice.