John B. “Biff” Jenney, Jr, Esquire, 81, of Wayland, died on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the Newton Wellesley Hospital following a brief illness.
He was born in Waltham on July 5, 1940, the son of the late John B. Jenney and Mary Ellen (O’Keefe) Jenney.
Biff spent his formative years in Waltham and resided in Newton before moving to Wayland 48 years ago. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his Doctorate in Law from Suffolk University. Biff also studied with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for three years in Ossining, New York and Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Biff’s faith was central to his life. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Kate for 50 years and was a wonderful, supportive father to his son Bob. He meant the world to his wife and son. He loved his extended family and enjoyed his many true and loyal lifelong friends. He was unfailingly kind and generous to all he met along life’s journey and he will be fondly remembered by all the lives he touched. In addition, he had a quick wit and an easy smile. He was a talented writer and loved to study theology, philosophy and history.
He had a long and impressive career as a lawyer for the Massachusetts Court System as First Assistant Registrar of Probate for Norfolk County before retiring. He was a well-respected and popular lawyer throughout his career. He was always willing to assist and lend a hand, offer advice or to be a mentor. He co-founded Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, an organization dedicated to helping with the challenges of life in the legal profession. He continued to practice law and perform Pro Bono work following his retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen M. “Kate” (Stout) Jenney of Wayland. He was the beloved father of Robert F. “Bob” Jenney, also of Wayland. Brother of Joan Garrigan of Camden, Maine; Margery Edson of Santa Rosa, California; Patricia Mattos of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the late Janet McNamara and Francis Jenney. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews as well as the Hawkins family.
At the request of his family, there will be no funeral home visitations.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Parish at ST. ANN CHURCH, 134 Cochituate Road (Rt. 27), Wayland. Masks will be required for all attending his funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly suggests that gifts in Biff’s memory may be sent to the Maryknoll Society, 55 Ryder Rd, Ossining, NY 10562 www.maryknoll.org or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, POB 849168, Boston, MA 02284 www.danafarber.org.