It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Owen Jenkins. He did everything he could to stay with us, but the cancer was too aggressive to master.
Owen was born in Troy, N.Y., on December 2, 1948, to Martha (Atkinson) and Morton Jenkins. After graduating from the University of Vermont and playing hockey in Europe, Owen taught at Essex High School and managed the new hockey rink there. Based on his experience with RPI’s summer hockey camp, he helped organize the Essex Youth Hockey program. He earned his JD at Vermont Law School in 1977 and practiced in Essex Junction until his retirement.
Owen was first and foremost a dad and husband. He cherished his children, Cait and Carin; rejoiced in welcoming Emmanuel to the family; and adored Elodie and William, the newest lights in his life. He was a kind, patient, loving husband to Wendy until the end.
Owen loved being with young people. He coached youth hockey for a number of years, and grateful parents celebrated one season’s 0 -16 record, knowing that their children all played equally and learned the joy of hockey rather than winning. Whether he was raking monster piles of leaves for leaps from the monkey rope, building paths for snow tubing down the hill or eating lunch on pizza days at the elementary schools, while surrounded by chatter and those lucky enough to snag a seat near him — all fed Owen’s soul.
The lake was Owen’s playground, though. It was an annual event to guide a child as they “swam” to the raft and see them grin with pride. The sounds of screams from the tube as he gave daring kids “the whip” were music to him. And the sweet smiles of joy and imagination as the littlest ones sat on his lap and “drove” the boat were precious to him.
Helping people was an avocation as well as a vocation for Owen. He enjoyed the relationships that he developed through his work, and many of those clients became friends who helped Owen and Wendy as much as he had helped them. He was especially passionate about helping those who faced injustice, and he took on cases of those who couldn’t pay in order to assure that their voices were heard.
In addition to his immediate family, Owen is survived by his sister, Lynne, and her husband, Hughie; his brother Craig; his brother Kent and his wife, Jeanne; his sisters-in-law Linda and her partner, Allen, and Lee and her husband, Kip; nieces Jenny, Lauren and husband, Kris, Kelly, and Caroline, and their families; and nephew Quinn who held a special place in his heart. He was predeceased by his parents, his nephew Aidan, and his brother-in-law, George.
We are immensely grateful to the entire team at the University of Vermont Medical Center — across departments — who supported us in addressing Owen’s multiple physical challenges over the last two years. The incredible staff of Home Health & Hospice cared for both Owen and our family. We will be forever grateful to our friends who enfolded us in love and support through so many acts of kindness. Thank you … you know who you are.
If you choose to donate in Owen’s name, please consider Owen’s passions and ethics, and give to organizations that honor and support the rights of all humans, whether it be for legal, gender, reproductive, hunger or other challenges that underrepresented communities face. Several of Owen’s favorite organizations were the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Vermont Foodbank and the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington.
There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of Owen’s life will be planned for the future.
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 2, 2023.