Joseph Augustine Kenific

b. 6 August 1897, d. 2 September 1980
  • Joseph Augustine Kenific was born on 6 August 1897 in Oswego County, New York.
  • Joseph Augustine Kenific registered for the draft on 24 August 1918 in New York while living with his father at 22o West 7th Street in Oswego, and employed there by George K. Campbell Company.
  • He married Emma Margaret Hurley, daughter of Daniel V. Hurley and Elisabetha A. Weiler, on 29 September 1924 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Sacred Heart Church.
  • The following appeared on 30 September 1924 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The marriage of Miss Emma Hurley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel V. Hurley of Ontario avenue to Joseph Kenefic, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Kenefic of Oswego, N. Y., was solemnized at Sacred Heart church yesterday morning at 7:30 o'clock, the Rev. Dean J. J. Roche officiating. The bride was charming in a navy blue carmine suit, trimmed with black fox fur, jade green had and carried a corsage of bride roses. Her attendant, Miss Marguerite Stewart, wore a navy blue poiret twill suit, black hat and carried a corsage of pink roses. James Kenefic of Buffalo, attended his brother. A wedding breakfast was served following the ceremony. Covers were laid for 20 at the bride's table which was decorated with roses and chrysanthemums. Mr. and Mrs. Kenefic left on a wedding trip to New York and other Eastern points and will reside at No. 1001 Ontario avenue, this city, upon their return. Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Kenefic of Oswego, N. Y., Edward Kenefic of Rochester, N. Y., James Kenefic of Buffalo were among the out-of-town guests.
  • Daniel V. Hurley and Elisabetha A. Weiler appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1001 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Joseph Augustine Kenific, Emma Margaret Hurley and Catharine E. Hurley.
  • He was employed by the post office, according to the 1925 census.
  • Elisabetha A. Weiler appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1001 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Joseph Augustine Kenific, Emma Margaret Hurley and Jean Marie Kenific.
  • He was a clerk with the U.S. Post Office.
  • Joseph Augustine Kenific and Emma Margaret Hurley appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2408 South Avenue. Other members of the household included Jean Marie Kenific and Elisabetha A. Weiler.
  • He was employed by the post office as a supervisor, according to the 1940 census.
  • The following appeared on 13 February 1954 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: (Niagara Personalities, by Tom Kelly) Presumably, the circumstances which launch the life work of most career postal officials range from the pre-planned to the purely accidental. Those which instituted the 37 years of service of Assistant Postmaster Joseph Augustine Kenefic appear to belong in the latter category.
         The situation from which resulted his start as a ostal clerk was, as Mr. Kenefic recalls, one involving "a young man whose plans had been upset, a construction project, a family friend--and the weather."
         "In proper sequence," he explains, "it probably begins with the 'uoung man,' or in other words, myself. I left my home, at Oswego, after high school and a brief experience with dry goods selling, and my intention on arriving at Niagara Falls was to enlist in the Army. The armistice of November, 1917, precluded that and I began working with a crew on the construction of a plant in Hyde Park boulevard."
         "As many folks will recall, the winter of 1917 was a rugged one, with long days of bitter cold. One day I was in the vicinity of the Post Office and dropped in to say hello to Postmaster Robert Gittins, a long-time family friend from Oswego. In the course of a chat he suggested that I become a postal clerk."
         "I thought of the security offered in the Postal Service and the opportunity for advancement. I also thought of the cold on the construction job. It did not take long for me to decide."
         "I like to feel, however," Mr. Kenefic adds, "that even if accidental the circumstances were happy. I've enjoyed the service and I've especially enjoyed my firsthand view of the many changes and advancements in the service over the years."
         In his postal clerk days, he recalls, the local Post Office collect mail by means of horses and wagons and the total compelement of employes, including carriers, was 60 men. In the years since that period the horses were replaced by trucks and the number of full-time employees was increased to 210.
         "One of the many satisfactions," he states, "is in the many benefits for employes introduced through the years, such as the retirement system, sick leave and paid vacations. Equally satisfying to enjoying those benefits is having seen them put into effect."
         Mr. Kenefic performed various clerk and supervisory duties in the mailing and other departments until January, 1935, when he was placed in charge of money orders, and was in the post of superintendent of the money order office when he was made assistant postmaster.
         In addition of Postmaster Gittins, he has also served under Acting Postmaster E. T. Williams, Postmasters Fred G. Newell, Edward V. Canavan and the late Thomas F. Gray, and Acting Postmasters Edward Kelley and Joseph R. Masters. Currently his superior is Acting Postmaster Anthony J. Keller.
         Mr. Kenefic is a 22-year member of the Niagara Falls Postal Employes Credit Union, having served eight years as its supervising committe chairman and six years as its treasurer. He also is a member of Niagara Council 247, Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Church. He and Mrs. Kenefic, the former Emma Hurley, this city, are the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Donald Crowell, this city, and a son, Robert F. Kenefic, United States Navy.
         Mr. Kenefic also is a member of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. A brother, the Rev. Edward P. Kenefic, is the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, Utica, and Mr. Kenefic's mother, Mrs. Edward P. Kenefic, now in her 87th year, is a resident of Oswego. A sister and brother also reside at Oswego, and three other brothers live at Lockport, Buffalo and Philadelphia.
  • The following appeared on 25 October 1955 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Funeral services will be held in Oswego tomorrow for the mother of Joseph A. Kenific, assistant postmaster here. Mrs. Edward P. Kenefic died Sunday, (Oct. 23, 1955) at the age of 89.
         Besides Mr. Kenific she is survived by five other sons, a daughter, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
  • Joseph Augustine Kenific became a widower at the 13 July 1968 death of his wife Emma Margaret Hurley.
  • The following appeared on 15 July 1968 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Emma M. Kenific, 72, of 5953 Hyde Park Boulevard, died unexpectedly Saturday (July 13, 1968) in her home.
         She was born in Niagara Falls and lived here all her life. Mrs. Kenific was the wife of Joseph A. Kenific, a retired assistant postmaster at the main post office here.
         She is also survived by a son, Robert F. Kenific of Norwich; a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Jean) Crowell, of Grand Island, and 10 grandchildren.
         Friends may call at the Otto Renanz Funeral Home from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and Tuesday.
         Funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday at 9 a.m. and from St. Teresa of Infant Jesus Church at 9:30 a.m.
         Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
  • The SSDI lists Norwich, Chenango County, New York, as the last residence of record of Joseph Augustine Kenific.
  • He was interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, Niagara County, New York.
  • Joseph Augustine Kenific died on 2 September 1980 at age 83 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York, at 24 Hayes Street at his residence.
  • The following appeared on 3 September 1980 in the Oswego Palladium-Times: Joseph A. Kenific, 83, of 24 Hayes St., Norwich, died Tuesday morning at his residence after an extended illness.
         Born in Oswego, he was the son of the late Edward P. and Mary O'Connor Kenific. His first wife, the late Emma Hurley, died in 1968. He subsequently married Jane Conway Sullivan of Norwich who survives.
         Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Jean) Crowell of Grand Island; a son, Robert F. Kenific of Camillus; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Miss Mary Kenific of Oswego; and three brothers, Francis A. of Oswego, John of Lockport, and William of Lancaster, Pa.
         For many years, Kenific resided in Grand Island. He had been employed at the Niagara Falls Post Office from Dec. 1918 until his retirement as Assistant Postmaster in 1963. He was an honorary member of the Star of the Sea Council Knights of Columbus of Grand Island. Since his residency in Norwich in 1972, he had been a communicant of St. Paul's Church.
         Services from the Devine-Wilson Memorial Home, Norwich, will be held at 9:30 a.m. and at St. Paul's Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Niagara Falls at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Calling hours at the funeral home are today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Last Edited: 18 Jan 2015

Family: Emma Margaret Hurley b. 24 November 1895, d. 13 July 1968