Portadown man Tony Kennoy has been described as a “once-in-a-lifetime character’ at a service of thanksgiving for his life.
Tony, who passed away on Sunday, September 29, was very well respected in the town, described by one person as “probably the most well-known man in Portadown“.
Tony’s funeral service was held at Emmanuel Church, Lurgan, on Sunday (October 6), where mourners heard many tributes to a “kind, gentle, and humble” man known by everybody.
Tributes were led by Pastor Philip Emerson who welcomed Tony’s family and friends to not only celebrate his life, but mourn his loss.
He said: “We all loved him a lot, and the thing about Tony I remember most is he inspired us all to laugh. And not to take ourselves too seriously.”
Just one of the stories he recounted was of Tony taking a trip to Dublin on the train. When asked what he did on his escapade, Tony replied: “I got off the train and bought a Mars Bar and Coke, and got back on it again”.
Also paying tribute was Alan Emerson, who said: “Tony Kennoy – probably the best-known character in Western Europe, in County Armagh, part of it anyway, and further afield.
“There’s been many descriptions, many adjectives, in the last few days especially used to describe Tony. For me, It’s simple. Tony was a once-in-a-lifetime character. I think that no matter how long you would live, you would only come across someone like Tony once-in-a-lifetime.
“He was unique. Nobody laughed like Tony, and certainly nobody sneezed like Tony. Tony’s sneeze was known to stop a sermon!
“… he was the kindest, gentlest, humblest, humourist, and sometimes the most frustrating, person I have ever met. Many of you I’m sure at times have been frustrated by Tony’s persistent phone calls. I was recollecting, and I think 14 missed calls in one day, is my record.
“He was an absolutely great character. I loved him so much but he was no angel. At times, Tony could have stretched the truth like an elastic band. But Tony was funny… He was just that sort of character that when you think of him you just smile.
“I got him a new phone one time and he boasted that this was the greatest phone ever. He said that the battery would last four days if you charge it up every night!”
He continued: “We all knew how much Tony loved music. I often think that if Tony had gone on Mastermind with his specialist subject, music from the 50s and 60s, he would have scored maximum points.
“I tried countless times to catch him out, but was never successful.”
“… Although it’s maybe less than 20 years, it seems as if I’ve known him all my life. His friendship with me began with Tony persistently asking me if he could come to my house and wash my car!”
While Alan recounted the many fond memories of Tony and his stories and escapades, he added that Tony had a hard upbringing in his life.
“In his early years, Tony had a rough life. The last 35 years were such a contrast to his first 40. He told us that his mother put him in a home when he was a child. I don’t know what age that was but he was in that home for 40 odd years. And Tony was not treated well in his early years.”
He recounted a story of the police asking Tony to talk about his upbringing, but Tony would only speak if Alan was near.
“They went to his flat and it was eventually agreed that I would sit outside the door of the room in the hallway. After about 20 minutes, Tony broke down. I’ll never forget that day. It’s sort of etched in my memory. I’d heard enough.
“I’d heard enough that would break your heart, but it made me resolve that day, and more determined, to ensure that Tony was loved, and cared for, even more than ever before.”
Despite this hardship, Tony’s strong Christian faith and love for Emmanuel Church was emphasised, with Sunday mornings described as the “highlight” of his week.
Alan added: “Tony had a strong faith, but it was a simple faith. Tony knew that Jesus was the only way to Heaven. And his trust, Tony’s trust, was in the finished work of Jesus, accomplished for him on the Cross at Calvary.”
A number of other tributes to Tony’s life and character were also heard before the service was closed to one of Tony’s favourite hymns – The Old Rugged Cross.
