BOSTON (AP) – Edward F. Kenney Sr., who was in charge of the Boston Red Sox farm system when it developed Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice, has died, the club announced Thursday.

Kenney, who spent more than four decades as a baseball executive with the team, died on Wednesday of complications related to diabetes. He was 85.

Kenney joined the Red Sox organization as a player in 1946, but arm problems ended a promising pitching career and during the team’s drive to the American League pennant that season, he worked in the ticket office.

He joined the team’s minor league operations and in 1949 became assistant farm director. When that office was divided into two departments in 1966, Kenney became director of minor league operations.

He was promoted to vice president in 1978 and spent his last three years with the team as vice president of baseball development before retiring after the 1991 season.

Kenney was born in Medford and grew up in Winchester before heading to Boston College, where he was a three-year starting shortstop. He joined the Army upon graduation in 1943, then was signed by Red Sox scout Hugh Duffy and made a pitcher.

Kenney’s father, Thomas, worked as an assistant for former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey.

Kenney, who lived in Braintree, is survived by his wife, Anna; daughters, Anne Marie Kelley, Katie Kenney, and Helen McGann; and son, Edward Kenney Jr., who worked in baseball operations for both the Red Sox and Orioles.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday at St. Claire’s Church in Braintree.