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Bill Kennelly - Fire Chief

Bill Kennelly

Memorial Scholarship Foundation

Awarding scholarships to three deserving students each school year. 

See below for more information and qualifying criteria.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships

Waxhaw, NC or Middletown, NJ
Volunteer Fire Department

This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior who is currently involved in the junior firefighter program or child of a Fire Department member in good standing. 

Waxhaw, NC 
Cuthbertson High School

This scholarship will be awarded to a senior at Cuthbertson High School who is involved in the athletics program.

Waxhaw, NC , Union County NC Sheriff's Office, or Middletown, NJ Police Department

This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior who has an immediate family member working or volunteering for the Middletown, NJ, Union County NC Sheriff's Office, or Waxhaw, NC Police Department.

2023 Application is CLOSED

  • For 2023, we will be awarding three scholarships (one of each of the scholarships named above) valued at $750 each.
     

  • Applicants may apply for one scholarship only.

 

  • If  you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, please complete the scholarship application. Applications are due on or before May 29th, 2023.
     

  • In addition to the application, applicants are required to provide a letter of recommendation.
     

  • Applicants are required to be enrolled in a college, university or trade school for the upcoming semester in order to qualify for one of these scholarship awards.

 

  • Winners will be announced on June 12th, 2023. 

Scholarship Criteria

William "Bill" Kennelly

May 29, 1966 - June 12, 2018

Born in Red Bank, NJ to Lucy and Bill Kennelly,  Bill grew up a part of the Lincroft Fire Company family.  At the age of 18, he was thrilled to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an active member of the fire department. He was an active member of the Middletown Township Fire Department for 34 years where he held such positions as Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain for Lincroft Fire Company and in 2002 he was elected to Assistant Chief for the MTFD where he spent 5 years working toward the rank of Chief in 2007.

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In 1987, Bill continued to give to his community by becoming a police officer for Middletown Township.  He spent 25 years as a police officer before retiring in 2012.

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While serving his community, Bill’s favorite position was that of Dad.  He adored spending time with his three children and whenever possible, he would volunteer for their activities.  He was a T-ball, softball, and baseball coach for Lincroft Little League.

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After retirement, Bill and wife, Donna moved their family to North Carolina where Bill quickly adapted to retirement by working as a part of the security team at Charlotte Motor Speedway where he became affectionately known as “Golf Cart Guy.”  He also began coaching football for the Cuthbertson School cluster and became part of the Friday Night Lights “Chain Gang.”

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The fire department was in his blood and he happily joined the Waxhaw Volunteer Fire Department where he served on the recruitment team and the board of directors.

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Not a day goes by that Bill is not thought of and missed by his family and the communities he loved and served for so many years.

About Bill
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