November 14, 2002 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Afghanistan RPCV Michael Kinney dies in Milwaukee
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November 14, 2002 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Afghanistan RPCV Michael Kinney dies in Milwaukee
Afghanistan RPCV Michael Kinney dies in Milwaukee
Read and comment on this obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Afghnistan RPCV Michael Kinney who became the first manager for the Milwaukee Public Library branch at Bay View and was involved in its planning and development. He earlier oversaw library operations at the smaller, older Llewellyn Library, then across from Bay View High School. It closed in 1993 with the opening of the Bay View Library. Read the story at:
Kinney first manager of Bay View Library*
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Kinney first manager of Bay View Library
Nov 14, 2002 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Author(s): Amy Rabideau Silvers
Kinney first manager of Bay View Library
He oversaw operations at Llewellyn, was on team that planned new facility
By AMY RABIDEAU SILVERS asilvers@journalsentinel.com, Journal Sentinel
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Even before the Bay View Library opened its doors, Michael F. Kinney was a part of its creation.
Kinney, who became the first manager for the Milwaukee Public Library branch, was involved in its planning and development. He earlier oversaw library operations at the smaller, older Llewellyn Library, then across from Bay View High School. It closed in 1993 with the opening of the Bay View Library.
"The Bay View Library is really a landmark in that community, and he was really the team leader," said Kathleen Huston, city librarian. "And he touched many lives, both at the level of our staff and in the community."
Kinney died Oct. 30 of pneumonia and other complications of AIDS. He was 52. He told friends that he had been diagnosed about the time of his 40th birthday.
He most recently lived in Cudahy. Kinney spent his last month at Richard's Place, an assisted-living home for those with AIDS.
Kinney was born in Utica, N.Y. He earned a degree in English, then later a master's degree in library science.
"He loved to travel; that was probably his most fun thing to do," said Timothy Kinney, his brother. "He was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan when he was in his mid-20s. He was an English teacher there."
Kinney first worked as a librarian in Palm Beach, Fla., then with the Chicago Public Library serving as a prison librarian with the Cook County Department of Corrections.
"I remember he would tell me stories from there," said a friend, Susan Pack, computer training coordinator with the Milwaukee Public Library. "He said a lot of the prisoners wanted love stories and poetry."
In 1984, he joined the Milwaukee library system, taking the position of branch manager at the former Llwellyn Library.
Kinney became active in community organizations, including the Bay View Historical Society, the Bay View Business Association and the Bay View Community Center. He went on disability a couple of years ago, leaving his library work, when his health and energy began to fail.
Until that time, Kinney was always looking for travel opportunities, including taking part in a library exchange program. While still with the Chicago library system, he had spent months working in New Zealand. In 1988, he spent three months working at a public library in Northern Ireland, one of the first such exchanges involving the Milwaukee system.
"About once a year, he would go to Alaska on a rafting trip, and he also went rafting in Chile," his brother said.
Friends described him as a private person but one deeply interested in other people. Even in his last days, as visitors came to see him, Kinney was quick to greet them.
"Oh, I'm doing fine," he would say. "How are you?"
The amazing thing was that he meant it, Pack said.
She told a story from one recent day, when a Richard's Place attendant came in from outdoors. She touched Kinney, then apologized because her hands were still cold.
"He took her hands and warmed them up," Pack said.
Kinney loved anything to do with books and reading. He loved jazz and photography, hiking and back-packing.
" 'I had a nice life,' he told the people at Richard's Place," Pack said.
"He was a well-rounded person, and a great friend," said Lance Erickson, another friend. "He approached everything in life with great enthusiasm."
Survivors include his mother, Ruth Williams Kinney; brothers Timothy and Pat; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at Richard's Place. For more information about the service, call (262) 547-0640 or (414) 351-5572.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Richard's Place, P.O. Box 294, Waukesha, WI 53187-0294, were suggested.
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Obituaries; COS - Afghanistan
PCOL1472
16
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we would like some sort of peace corps involvment with afghan kuchi's
