David Duane Kensler

David Duane Kensler passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 22, 2014. He was 39. Duane grew up in Mount Holly, where he spent many childhood days playing “Buck Rogers” with his sister, Missy, and their neighborhood friends. Duane’s Dad introduced him to hunting and fishing as a young boy. Those hunting trips were very special times for both of them. Duane went on to teach his own children to fish and hunt, sharing his love for this hobby with them, and creating their own special memories. Duane was an artist who was born with the ability to draw beautiful pictures. His artistic talent extended to all areas of his life, including his profession as a Local 5 Bricklayer and as a glass-installer. He truly cared about the aesthetics of what he was creating. His motto was, “If it isn’t perfect, it isn’t done.” Duane’s love for Long Beach Island came from his Mom. Many of our family’s best memories come from the countless summer vacations we spent there together. Duane’s vacations were filled with trips to the candy store, the Show Place ice cream parlor, bike riding around Centennial Park with all of the kids and boogie boarding in the surf with Courtney and Sarah. Duane loved playing baseball with his two sons, Dylan and Joe. He spent countless hours practicing pitching and batting with them. He took pride in the fact that he was able to help coach his sons’ teammates. He wouldn’t dream of missing a game and was always cheering the kids on from the sidelines. One of Duane’s favorite things to do was to kick back on the couch with his entire family to watch movies, the Flyer’s, or the Phillies. He was content to just hangout, as long as it was with the people that he loved the most. Duane was passionate about his pets and grew up loving his cat Daisy. As an adult, his constant four-legged companion was Chelsea, who was known as his “fifth child.” Duane could always be seen flying around town on his purple motorcycle with his oldest daughter, Sarah or his wife, Tammie. He loved the peaceful, free feeling he got when he was on his bike. Two of Duane’s favorite songs were, “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life,” and “Carry On.” It’s hard to do these things when you’ve lost someone you love, but we will continue to do so because that’s what Duane would have wanted us to do. Grandson of the late Mary Lou Jones, Duane is survived by his high school sweetheart and bride of 16 years, Tammie (Moore); his four loving children, Sarah, Joseph, Courtney and Dylan; his parents, David and Glenalee Kensler; his sister, Melissa Walsh (David); his nieces, Ava and Chloe; his grandfather, Joseph Jones; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and too many dear friends to name. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Saturday, at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 260 High St., Mt. Holly. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with the family from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly.

David Duane Kensler

May 6, 1974 - February 22, 2014