Chris Kenny, a long time stalwart of Wellington and Hutt Valley Boxing, and Boxing New Zealand, passed away on Tuesday, 2nd February 2016.

Chris Kenny was national coach from 1993 to 1997, national director of coaching for eight years and part of the Olympic Solidarity movement for five years. He was made a life member of Boxing New Zealand in 2006.

In 2011 Chris Kenny was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to boxing.

FUNERAL NOTICE

KENNY, Christopher Patrick (Chris), ONZM - Peacefully at home in Titahi Bay surrounded by family on 2 February, 2016. Born in Limerick, Ireland. Dearly loved husband of Diana; father and father-in-law of Michael and Maria, Samantha and Jack, Vanessa, Sacha and John. Loved grandfather of Ariana, Isaac, Sam, Freya, Hinewai, and Max. Coach and mentor to many. Messages for 'The Kenny Family' may be sent c/- P.O. Box 50-347, Porirua 5240. Requiem Mass will be celebrated in the Church of St. Pius X, 63 Te Pene Avenue, Titahi Bay, Porirua on Friday, 5 February 2016, at 10:30am. View page.

REMEMBERING CHRIS KENNY

Dear Friends,

With the passing of Chris Kenny, Boxing has lost one of it's greats. Chris's contribution to the Sport over many years is second to none. His contribution was rewarded, not only in him being elected as life member of Wellington Hutt Valley and Boxing NZ BUT also in his New years honours award for his contribution to the Sport of Boxing.

Chris was a true supporter of the sport who had little time for the politics that was prevalent and supported those whom he saw as doing what was right for the Boxers. His coaching ability was recognised by AIBA and he held the highest award in this area under the previous regime of AIBA.

Boxing in New Zealand will be all the poorer with Chris's passing and we will always remember him for his friendship, commitment and dedication in the Sport over the many many years he was involved . We will miss you Chris.

Our sympathy goes out to his family and close friends.

Keith Walker
Life Member Boxing NZ

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES

"I would like to endorse Keith's words Chris was indeed a stalwart to and for boxing and a true gentleman." -- Ken Clearwater

"Very well spoken Keith and so true to Chris's contribution to New Zealand Boxing as well as his friendship to all." -- Tom O'Conner

"When he was living in Manchester, England. Chris boxed a friend of mine - Harry Scott - as an amateur. Harry won. Harry Scott went on to fight five world champions during his pro career. He also won and lost V Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. Sadly, Harry also passed away recently." -- Harry Otty

ALWAYS POSITIVE

Since I have been involved in boxing Chris Kenny made himself known at the first opportunity. He always had something positive to say and always supported the new or younger trainers, giving them confidence and a few pointers to carry on with.

I will remember him fondly and echo the sentiments already expressed. My thoughts and wishes go to his family.

Steve Mitchell
President
Boxing NZ

MAN WITH THE IRON BAR

I asked him once what was a funny thing that happened to him in 50 years of coaching. He said there was a gang member in his gym who never paid subs and borrowed everyone else's gear. One night he had enough and although the guy had talent, Chris sent him packing.

As he was about to turn out the lights at 9 pm he saw the guy lurking outside the gym. Chris said he swept the floor for 20 min until he couldnt do it any more - the guy was still there. So with a deep breath and an iron pipe up the sleeve of his track suit he left the gym and said to the guy, "What the f*** do you want?"

The gang member extended his arm in a handshake and said, "I'm sorry Chris, here's my subs."

When Chris put his hand out to shake his hand the iron bar fell out!

By Jack Plowman
via Keith Walker

A GREAT FRIEND

He was truly a face I looked for whenever I am in a boxing NZ event. I will forever have a spiritual bond with Chris in that he was involved in the event of my lifetime as a boxer.

Atlanta 1996 my first bout - Ever the keen eyed trainer he noticed my corner was inexperienced and all at sea at that level of competition. Amongst other things, I returned in the first round and found the second had drunk all my water - he got so nervous he didn't realise he was sipping all the water.

I remember Chris' Irish accent shouting encouragement. Later at the dressing room he offered to help. And he brought the pre-fight assured calmness I needed.

At the time I only knew him as respected coach from Wellington. But by the end I came to count him as a great friend. He came into my life at exactly the right moment and and the rest as they say is history...

By Paea Wolfgramm
Super Heavyweight Silver medalist
1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Albert Einstein once said: “A life lived for others is a life well lived”.

Long-time Wellington boxing stalwart Chris Kenny of Porirua, who passed away peacefully on February 2 surrounded by his family, was just such a man.

Chris had been ill over the last year and succumbed to pneumonia this week.

Kenny gave back to the sport he loved with a lifetime of coaching and through his efforts to the wider community too by enriching the lives of its youth.

In 2011 this commitment and dedication over a lengthy period of time was recognised when he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to boxing.

He was also honoured further at the 2013 Wellington Sports Awards when he received a lifetime contribution award for 50 years of coaching.

Chris will be long remembered for bringing AIBA coaching principles to New Zealand gyms. He ran coaching courses for eight years for level one and two boxing coaches. His seminars were always professionally run and with AIBA approval he helped launch the careers of many boxing coaches, who in turn have helped develop youth in the NZ and Oceania regions.

He was NZ Boxing National coach for four years from 1993-97 and a special highlight was taking the NZ boxing team to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. While there cornered Paea Wolfgram to a silver medal for Tonga.

By Jack Plowman

PORIRUA BOXING MENTOR, COACH AND BATTLER CHRIS KENNY DIES PEACEFULLY

(Via Stuff) - Tough guys with tattoos have been rocking up at the Porirua Boxing Club gym this week with tears streaming down their rugged faces, and drinks and baking in their hands.

They're there to pay tribute to boxing coach Chris Kenny who died early on Tuesday, aged 78.

He was a man who took children from rough upbringings and lifted their sights.

He used boxing to instil qualities such as discipline, hard work and respect for your opponent -- all qualities vital for living a productive life.

The kids he saved from themselves, have returned as men to pay tribute to the coach who showed them his way.

Chris Kenny coached national squads, and teams to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

He coached his son Michael to Commonwealth Games gold, at Auckland in 1990, and six national titles.

But Michael Kenny said none of that was more important than what his father did for youngsters from Titahi Bay, Porirua and surrounds...

Continue reading article on stuff.co.nz

BOXING STALWART CHRIS KENNY DIES

(Via THE WEST AUSTRALIAN, February 4, 2016) - New Zealand and Wellington boxing stalwart Chris Kenny has died at his home in Titahi Bay aged 78.

Kenny was national coach from 1993 to 1997 and national director of coaching for eight years, training boxers at local, national and international level for nearly 50 years.

He coached son Michael to six national titles and to gold in the super heavyweight division at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Kenny also stood in Paea Wolfgramm's corner at the 1996 Olympics as the Tongan boxer went on to win super heavyweight silver in Atlanta.

Kenny was made a life member of Boxing New Zealand in 2006, and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to boxing five years later.

Former Boxing NZ chairman Keith Walker says boxing had lost one of its greats.

"Boxing in New Zealand will be all the poorer with Chris's passing, and we will always remember him for his friendship, commitment and dedication over the many, many years he was involved."

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

I hate funerals with a passion! Last Friday, however, I went to the funeral of my long time friend/team mate, Chris Kenny, and I thought I would give my biased perspective of the day, particularly for those who could not be there.

From the onset it was emotionally charged; we arrived at the St Pius X Church with 50 odd minutes to spare. Graham (Smith) asked would I like to see the Boxing Gym? As we parked the car, we were confronted by Chris and casket literally being carried out of the Gym by his young boxers!

Wow, what a somber, emotional start to the proceedings! It surely set the scene for the day. Chris, surrounded by family and close friends, was then walked quietly to the Church, some 400 meters away. As I walked back to the Church, talking with Paige (Pete Bell's Daughter), I was reminded how close the 2 families became over the years and Chris had been like a second father to her and her brothers. We, in boxing, know how close Pete and Chris were!

We get to the Church - there are people every where, the church is chocker, the foyer is chocker, even the aisles had people, so by the time the service commenced there were several hundred in total. It would be one of the biggest funerals I have been to. Yes, as Chris said when bestowed the Queens medal, "it is nice to recognized". Chris Kenny, you certainly were recognized on Friday the 5th.

The eulogy by son Michael was an extraordinary eloquent resume of Chris' life as a Dad, Boxer, Coach and Mentor, etc. - brilliant Mike, well done.

George Ward, an old wharfie mate, spoke with feeling about Chris's time on the Wellington wharf, fighting for the rights of his work mates and the high esteem those workers held of Chris Kenny.

Billy Graham spoke with gusto of Chris and his massive contribution to boxing, especially in the Wellington/Hutt Valley region. Billy's rendition of 'How great Thou Art' on his harmonica at the finish, left few people in the Church without a dry eye.

Prayers, scripture readings and offertory procession were read by immediate family and close friends with both feeling and dignity.

The Irish Blessing read by several of Chris' grandchildren was a stunner, with the youngest (and smallest) having to reach for the mike and pull it down from the dais in order that he could be heard finishing off the blessing; that was something else!!

Everyone followed Chris out of the church, milled around for a few minutes and then walked down the road to the local Bowling Club for the final get together and something to eat, drink and to talk about Chris and the old times. There were some fabulous stories.

It was great to see so many of the boxing fraternity come to pay their respects - Coaches, Referees and Judges, Administrators, Boxers, young and not so young - it demonstrated the huge respect that these people have for Chris Kenny.

It was a fitting send off. I thank you Diana, Michael and family for the privilege of seeing Chris off in such a great way.

It was a mighty funeral for a mighty person. Rest in Peace Chris.

For me personally, in the 54 years I have known Chris Kenny, I can't recall ever having a real argument with him. During this time I have seen Chris as a tough 'Irish walk up' Boxer/fighter in the '60s, (my mentor in the '63 team), a man who set up our Boxing Coaches' qualification system in 1990 (it still stands), a huge supporter of the amateur game, a boxing Coach extraordinaire (none of his boxers fought like him - always with skill and panache), to become Boxing's gentleman, a man who was greatly respected in boxing circles, worldwide.

Chris you will be sorely missed, not just by your family, but the many others, whose lives you have touched. I will certainly miss those good times at the National Champs where we could have a quiet drink and talk about old times and the ills of Boxing today.

John McKay,
1963 Boxing NZ team mate