John Kemenosh, a former city councilman who dedicated much of his life to the service of his country and city, has died at the age of 88.
A World War II veteran, Kemenosh lived in Ocean City for more than 63 years, raised seven children in town and served many civic and political organizations.
A statement from Mayor Jay Gillian released on Monday evening is as follows:
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former First Ward Councilman John Kemenosh.
Mr. Kemenosh served our community in numerous ways over many years.
He was one of the founders and past presidents of the Ocean City Youth Athletic Association. For decades, he was a tireless volunteer for various causes and campaigns organized by the local Republican Club.
Of course, most notably Mr. Kemenosh served with distinction as First Ward Councilman. When I became mayor, Councilman Kemenosh warmly welcomed me to city government and worked in partnership with my administration to achieve our common objectives. I will be forever grateful for his friendship and support.
Ocean City is a better place thanks to the long time community service of John Kemenosh.
Michele’s and my thoughts and prayers are with the Kemenosh family at this difficult time.”
Kemenosh was honored by the Ocean City Republican Club in March as Republican of the Year. Tim Kelly (TK Press) prepared the following biography released to news media in advance of the event:
Kemenosh, 88, known as “Pops” is a former respected First Ward city councilman and an Ocean City resident for 63 years, involved in local governmental politics. Kemenosh has been a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 68, for more than 35 years. He and his late wife, Elizabeth, raised all seven of their children in town, all graduating from the Ocean City School District. Kemenosh was active in youth sports coaching for more than 15 years. He has been a driving force in local, county and state politics since the early 1960s, event organizers said.
“There was discussion about whom we would select for Republican of the Year, but there certainly was no argument,” said Heenan; a member of the event’s planning committee. “Really, how could we not select John? He is a tireless worker on behalf of the party and has helped attract great people for public service. And John has done more than anyone to get these people elected. Everyone likes John, even Democrats.”
In 2014, John was the recipient of the prestigious NJGOP Outstanding Service statewide award for service to the NJ Republican party with an award ceremony hosted by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno
Kemenosh served as First Ward councilman for four years from 2008 until 2012 when he stepped down for health reasons. After regaining his health, Kemenosh turned his efforts behind the scenes for local candidates — making phone calls, knocking on doors and doing whatever he could to generate votes. In the course of a day, it is not unusual for Kemenosh to make 300 phone calls or more, Heenan said. Following his campaign work for senatorial and freeholder races in 2013, Kemenosh was named Volunteer of the Year for Cape May County and was invited to a private breakfast at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s mansion and was honored with the top volunteers from each of the other 20 counties in the state.
Kemenosh said he had a simple formula for success in politics. “It’s not about building monuments,” he said. “It’s about doing what you can to make our great town even greater. It’s about helping people and letting them know your door is always open. If you listen to people, really listen, they will respect you and be reasonable. Many times people just want to be heard.”
In 2014, Kemenosh was instrumental in helping pass legislation protecting Seeing Eye dogs in the State of New Jersey. That law is now known as “Dusty’s Law.” After the bill passed both houses, he walked the legislation information to the Governor’s office for signature. Kemenosh has been a Contact of Cape Atlantic Phone support citizen services since 2014. As an Ocean City councilman, he served on the Utility Advisory Commission, the Boardwalk and Bay Front Committees, as well as many council Ad-Hoc Committees.
Kemenosh came from very humble beginnings. Born in New York City three years before the start of the Great Depression, he never knew his mother and was raised in an orphanage beginning at age two. His father was a disabled World War I veteran who suffered periodically from the effects of exposure to mustard gas.
“I never had a home life as a child. The orphanage was my home, my school, my whole life at that time.”
Kemenosh left the institution at age 16 and moved to Philadelphia to live with his father, whose condition had somewhat improved, and a stepmother. At the outbreak of World War II, he dropped out Northeast High School to join the Navy and serve in the Pacific Theatre. Kemenosh finished high school after the war and attended LaSalle College (now University) on the GI Bill.
Kemenosh was a varsity tennis player at LaSalle and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree. He met his future wife, the former “Liz” Baumann, in Philadelphia. The union produced seven children: Elizabeth Ann, Mark, John, Carol Ann, Matthew, Theresa Ann and Audrey Ann. He has 15 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Kemenosh owned and operated a plumbing, heating and appliance Company for the next decade, but the business was not insured for flooding and was wiped out during the infamous 1962 “March Storm.” Kemenosh then became a member of Local 68 Engineers Union during the end of Atlantic City’s pre-casino era and helped to build the resort during its transformation as the East Coast’s first casino town. He worked at the original Golden Nugget and Caesars properties, among others. He is also a cancer survivor, having lost half a lung to the disease. That does not stop him from pursuing his passion for golf and driving around town to visit friends and family.
He still works part-time four days a week as an aide at the Cape May County Library in Sea Isle City and volunteers as a caller for the CONTACT organization. John is affiliated with the local VFW, Post 6650 and the American Legion Post 524, and is an advocate for all veterans.
When Kemenosh considers his nearly nine decade run activities, education, jobs and life experiences, he does not hesitate in revealing his favorite:
“Charlie Sandman and I had a lot of fun during the gubernatorial campaign, flying all over the state in a helicopter and meeting all kinds of great people. That’s when the political bug bit me.”
And the rest is Ocean City political history.
Details are not yet available on services for Kemenosh. Check back for details.
