John F. "Jack" Kirkconnell

John “Jack” Kirkconnell II, 87, of Cranston, Rhode Island passed away on June 2nd at Rhode Island Hospital after a brief illness. 

He is survived by his wife Hope (Gordon) Kirkconnell, sons Kevin Kirkconnell and wife Andrea of McKinney, Texas and John Kirkconnell III and his wife Alison of Tega Cay, South Carolina, Tracey (Kirkconnell) Crowningshield and her husband Stephen of Greenfield, Massachusetts, son Gordon Kirkconnell of Cranston, Rhode Island, niece Sharon (Lyford) Gillis of Warren, Rhode Island, nephew Glen Lyford of North Scituate, Rhode Island, nine grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. 

He is predeceased by his father John Kirkconnell Sr., his mother Evelyn (Crossley) Kirkconnell, brother Walter Kirkconnell and sister Ellenor (Kirkconnell) Lyford. 

Jack had been a member of the  Protective Order of Elks since 1957 until his death, serving several terms as lecturing, loyal and leading knight, district deputy, state president and secretary, exalted ruler and lodge treasurer. 

Jack and walking partner Dan Whipple (deceased) walked 1,320 miles from Seattle to Providence from May 19- September 8th, 1987 in the fight against hunger, officially called “Two Against Hunger”. Both men were awarded many commendations, citations and official recognitions from all areas of the country, including by the United States Senate and Congress, the Cranston mayoral office and Rhode Island governor’s office. Jack was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for grateful recognition by The Corporation for National and Community Service by the Office of the President of the United States in 2015. 

Jack loved his country and served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Marine through and through. You would never catch Jack without his challenge coin despite the fact he recently celebrated his 47th year of sobriety. 

Jack was a strong Christian. His love of God and Faith was undeniable. He was an active member of his church, the Church of the Ascension in Cranston, serving as warden, reader and on various committees.

He worked full time as a security guard until just 3 months ago. 

Jack was a loyal and trustworthy friend, happily engaging and joking with everyone he encountered throughout his life. He loved to tell stories for hours about all of the kind people he met along the way during his walk for hunger awareness. He loved to dance and was often seen out on the dance floor at Elks functions.

Jack was a strong believer in Brotherly Love and Charity and was a co-founder of the Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Riders #2285. He rode his Harley well into his 80’s, which he polished until it shone like his Marine shoes.  

Jack accomplished a lot throughout his lifetime and he will be sadly missed by all who knew this gentle giant.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday June 6, 2023 from 5:00-8:00pm in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.

A Funeral Service will be held on SATURDAY June 10, 2023 at 10:00am in The Church of the Ascension 390 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.

Immediately following the Funeral Service all are invited to a collation luncheon to be held at the Coventry West Greenwich Elks Lodge #2285 42 Nooseneck Hill Road West Greenwich, RI 02817.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Elks National Foundation at 2750 N. Lakeview Ave; Chicago, IL 60614 re: in loving memory of Jack Kirkconnell.