Raymond Kenjesky

Raymond Kenjesky was a soft-spoken man with a big heart. He was not someone consumed by material gains in life, but by the satisfaction of putting his family and friends first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as for the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces and America would soon be drawn into this conflict by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was into this chaotic world that Raymond Joseph Kenjesky was born on April 21, 1941, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Charles and Bertha (Mayette) Kenjesky. Ray had a pretty typical childhood growing up in his family home on Lemuel Street in Muskegon Heights (his mother resides there to this day). His parents both worked at the Norge plant right in Muskegon, though his father was also a meat cutter by trade. Ray was raised in the Catholic faith, and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church with his family. Like many boys, Ray participated in Cub Scouts, but loved to spend the majority of his time fishing on Mona Lake, which was just a short walk from his house. Because Ray fished so much, his mother made him learn how to clean the fish himself, saving her from doing the dirty work. Being so close to the water, Ray had activities all year through to enjoy, some of his favorites included ice-skating and water skiing. Although having fun was on the top of his list, Ray proved to be a hard worker from an early age. As a teenager, he always held some kind of part-time job, like a paper route, being an usher at the Strand Theater and working on celery farms in the area. Ray also took accordion lessons for a few years, and performed with others at local churches. For his education, Ray attended Roosevelt Elementary and Sacred Heart Schools, and graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1959. He then went on to attend Muskegon Community College for a while before moving to California with some friends to find work. Ray was working for the Mattel Toy Company for a few years when he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country for 2 years stationed in Virginia. Upon his honorable discharge, Ray returned home to his family in Muskegon, and went back to MCC to complete his college degree. Ray worked 2 jobs in order to pay for his own tuition. After earning his Associates degree, Ray went to work as an Engineering Draftsman for Big Dutchman Inc. in Zeeland. It was here that Ray met his longtime friend and loving companion, Karen Smith Hirdes. Although the two dated for a while, Ray and Karen weren't meant for marriage and they eventually went their separate ways. As fate would have it, they remained friends but would reconnect later in life. Ray left his job at Big Dutchman after 4 years, and went to work at Lear Siegler. He eventually left Lear after a number of years and put down roots at Hart-Cooley, where he designed parts and ductwork for air handler equipment. Ray retired from here in 2005. Life was good for Ray, full of hard work and lots of fun. Outside of his daily job, Ray loved to be outdoors pursuing some of his favorite pastimes hunting and fishing. He was an avid deer hunter, and went out every year for both bow and rifle season. Ray even took a few trips to Canada to hunt Elk. Eventually, he and a friend Steve Kitsch bought 100 wooded acres of land in northern Muskegon County, and began hunting there. When he wasnt in the woods hunting, Ray could usually be found on his boat at some water hole fishing. He liked fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan, and sometimes even acted as a guide for fishing charters, since he knew so much about it! Ray spent most of his life living in the Holland and Zeeland areas, but later bought a cottage in Rothbury from his Aunt Ruth, and made this his permanent residence. The cottage needed some updating and repairs, but Ray was able to handle them all on his own. He enjoyed woodworking, so fixing up the cottage was more a hobby than a job. Ray also would go around the woods near his cottage and would collect sticks and tree limbs that he used to create creatures mimicking animals that he displayed in his cottage. Ray didnt need great things in his life to be happy. He had his family and his close circle of friends, who could always count on him to be there whenever needed. Over the years, Ray had some heart problems; he suffered his first heart attack at the age of 50, and underwent 2 bypass heart surgeries. To compound matters, Ray was also diagnosed with cancer, but he was determined to remain positive and live life to its fullest. Unfortunately, Rays health never fully recovered and he died on Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the age of 67. Ray will be remembered as a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes for his character. He will be greatly missed. Ray is survived by his mother, Bertha Kenjesky of Muskegon Heights; sister, Ruth (John) Monaghan of KY; niece, Melissa Monaghan, and nephew, B.J. Monaghan, both of KY; and his aunt & uncle, George (Arlaine) Mayette of Norton Shores. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles, in 1981; nephew, Thomas Duff; cousin, James Brown, & numerous aunts & uncles. Ray will also be sadly missed by a loving companion, Karen Hirdes & family, along with his many dear friends with whom he shared his love of hunting and fishing. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 5, at 2:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, with Rev. Ben Jansen officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with Rays family on Wednesday, February 4, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit Rays memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign his online guest book or share a memory/thought with his family.