Obituary of John J Kenefick

John Kenefick--"Outback Jack", 78, of Waldoboro, passed away peacefully August 9, 2016 at home surrounded by his family after a brief illness. He married Lois Eley in 1960, together they had four children Joe Kenefick, Cheryl Woods, Joanna Kenefick and Paul Kenefick all of Waldoboro. Jack proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959. He was trained as a mortar man in the infantry. He was stationed at Parris Island, North Carolina, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Quantico, Virginia and Kanoi Bay, Hawaii. He received a Good Conduct Medal in 1959. He enjoyed the Boston Bruins, NASCAR, the Patriots and boxing. In his early life he was an ordained minister and youth pastor in Massachusetts. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and built choppers before they were cool. He repaired thousands of cars over the years in Massachusetts and Maine. He opened his first auto body repair shop in Maynard. He moved his family to Maine in 1974. They settled in Waldoboro in 1976 where he opened J & L Auto Body. He owned and operated the body shop with his son Joe until 1990. They restored vintage cars, Jack did customized paint jobs and on more than one occasion he cut two wrecked cars in half and welded them back together to make one whole undamaged car. He had many repeat customers. His wife Lois passed away in 1984. Jack and Lois fostered children in their home for a time and allowed the children's friends to move in at times. He met Heidi Waning 1987 and she became his long time significant other. He raised her four children Megan Davis, Brandon Davis, Shekara Davis and Maggie Davis as if they were his own. In 1989 Jack and Heidi had a son, Seth Dorr. He instilled a quick wit and incredible sense of humor in all his children, as well as a ‘do unto others as you would have done unto you’ attitude. Jack was predeceased by Lois and three brothers: James Kenefick of Texas, Richard Kenefick of New Hampshire and Ralph Kenefick. He is survived by his nine children Joe Kenefick, Cheryl Woods, Joanna Kenefick, Paul Kenefick, Megan Davis of New Jersey, Brandon Davis, Shekara Davis of Waldoboro, Maggie Davis of Washington and Seth Dorr, his long-time significant other Heidi Waning, nine grandchildren Mason Mank, Skye Woods, Free Woods, Aaron Kenefick, Eric Kenefick, D. J. Sturdee, Kabryn Sturdee Dylan Favreau and Mariah Cooley, two great-grandchildren Hunter and Kiley Sturdee, sister Marie Coleman of Massachusetts and brother Gary Lopez of Tennessee. "A great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone!" Paul Valery A celebration of Jack's life will take place the afternoon of Saturday, August 20 at his home in Waldoboro. The family asks that you bring your memories and stories to share. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Disabled American Veterans.