Kenson who was commonly known as "Kenny" was full of life, love, laughter, and joy. He was also filled with big dreams, ambitious moves, and a never-ending drive for the better. As a confidant, friend, sibling, son, nephew, uncle, and cousin to many; his legacy will live on forever. Always putting God first and his family second; Kenny was known for his drive to always bring everyone together. If there was one person you can rely on to say yes, it was him. If you had the pleasure of knowing him, you knew that a plan was coming to hang out or a joke was flying your way. As we celebrate his life, we take solace in the fact that we will see him again. Join us in celebrating the greatest promotion he could have ever received.
Kenson Justin Tyrone John was born on the picturesque island of Grenada amongst tumultuous revolutionary times. On March 14, 1979, Anthony Kingston John and Agnes Elma John welcomed Kenson into the world.
His father was excited to be a father. He often said that growing up he heard all the songs about mothers but nothing about fathers. So, he prayed to God to help him be a good father. So Kingston poured his love and affection Starting with Kenson and also into Kenson’s siblings. Kenson quickly became his right hand. Kenson was almost always in tow behind and later as an adult beside his father.
Kenson spent his early years basking in Grenada's warm glow and soaking up the peace and tranquility the Island freely gave. During a brief stay in the Virgin Islands, he would welcome two additional siblings. First Dwayne Kingston John and then Anthony Jeron John. In July of 1986 Kenson, his father, and two brothers emigrated to The United States. Joining the matriarch of the family who had already emigrated six months earlier.
The family spent several years living in Queens and Brooklyn where the final member of the family Shadina Tahera John was born. Kenson famously remarked that the reason our parents had more kids was they were trying to duplicate perfection. Part of me now knows he was right he was the best of us in the areas that mattered the most.
Finally, they settled in the borough of Staten Island where Kenson proceeded to live until his passing. During his time on Staten Island, Kenson graduated from Port Richmond High School and attended the College of Staten Island. He was a hard worker and spent several years at each company he worked for. His latest job was working for Amazon where he was recently promoted to a managerial position.
But his greatest accomplishments were the lives he changed. There have been numerous stories of how Kenson positively affected people’s lives. Many of which Kenson never spoke about. That was who he was he helped people and thought nothing about it.
He was always a call away. If you needed to be picked up; he was there. If you needed to be bailed out of a sticky situation; he was there. If you needed to fix something; he was there. If it was only some company you needed; he was there.
One of his greatest attributes was being present. Because of this, Kenson grew a friend where ever his foot landed. Friendship and family laid at the heart of who he was.
Kenson loved music, sports, and baseball caps. He was a New York fan to the core, he loved the Knicks most, which he wholeheartedly believed would get a ring, closely followed by the Giants and Yankees. He was always willing to head out to games and dragged whomever he could along with him.
Kenson was always respectful and polite and always had a sense of peace and tranquility that often did not match the situation. It seems like in his heart Kenson never left the island paradise that birthed him. If you ever were blessed with a ride in his car or glimpsed the back of his phone case you would see the red-green and Gold rectangle that represents the Island of Spice.
Grenada was never far from Kenson’s heart whether he was on its restful shores or thousands of miles away. One thing was certain as soon as the plane touched down in Grenada, Kenson was looking to link up, hang out or just be present for the important moments.
On the first day of 2021, Kenson Justin Tyrone John finished his last level and beat the game of life. He is sitting with the creator of all. We take confidence as a family that he gave his life to God and that we will see him again.
Our family's world currently has come to a halt. There are so many memories the good and the bad that Kenson was there. It seems almost impossible to process a future where he is not across the table, down the hall, a flight of stairs away.
There is no space to process what a blow this has been and will be to this family. We are hurting and in pain. But our only hope is that God is near to the broken-hearted. We have been bolstered and sent to tears by scripture returned to memory and songs that seem to swell up within us. This is where we find our strength. This is why we can stand and say God is good. This hurts but God is good.
If you knew Kenson you will talk about three things. His hugs, his heart, and his generosity. Kenson’s generosity was well known among our family and friends. He was always willing to pick up the tab, a box, a paintbrush, or change his plans to accommodate yours. Essentially you could always call Tyrone.
While our family remains forever changed. We stand a little taller because of him. The future brighter because he exists and loves. His mark on life will never be erased. We thank God every day he lent us one of his own and we are just a little jealous he decided it was time for his best to go back. Kenson Justin Tyrone John you will always be in our hearts.