John Kevin Kennedy
September 10, 1931 - June 22, 2014
John Kevin Kennedy died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 22 surrounded by his devoted family. He was the selfless and loving husband of Geraldine (Martin) Kennedy to whom he was married for 57 years. Born and raised in Dorchester, he lived in Boston for nearly his entire life. He and his wife lived in West Roxbury for 47 years where, together, they raised ten children. Kevin, as he was known to family and friends, graduated from English High School in 1948, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College in 1952, and a Master’s degree in chemistry from Tufts University in 1953. Drafted into the Army during the Korean War, Kevin served two years at a military laboratory in Maryland. For 33 years he then worked for the United States Air Force as a civilian Research Chemist in the Cambridge Research Laboratories at Hanscom Force Air Base. During that time he acquired 7 patents for research he conducted and published numerous articles in scientific journals. During his last five years there he served as the Branch Chief for the Solid State Sciences Laboratories. Upon his retirement in 1987, he was awarded the “Goody Two Shoes” Award in recognition of his commitment to always “doing the job right” and on time and to the best of his ability. Kevin spent the next 17 years working for John M. Kennedy & Company. This was the family painting contracting business begun by his father in the 1930’s, then owned by his brother, Maurice, and in which he had worked part-time since he was a child. In 2004, he finally “really” retired to enjoy leisure time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Summers on the Cape made retirement all that more enjoyable. Throughout his life Kevin was recognized for his integrity, reliability, and industriousness. He was greatly loved and admired by his children as he danced through life together with Gerry, his teenage sweetheart.
Kevin was the devoted father of John K. Kennedy, Jr. and his wife Peggy of Ossining, NY; Kathleen K. Collins and her husband Mark of West Roxbury; Rev. William M. Kennedy of Boston; Deirdre I. Kennedy of Dorchester; the late Kyran E. Kennedy and his wife Kathleen of Virginia; Neil P. Kennedy of Medway; Maura K. Messinger and her husband Charles of Canton; Christopher R. Kennedy and his wife Donna of Lynn; Kara K. DiSandro and her husband Robert of Providence, RI; and Patricia E. Kennedy of Canton.
He was the brother of Helen Wildman and her husband Gilbert of CA; the late Thomas L. Kennedy and his late wife Margaret of Duxbury; the late Maurice Kennedy and his wife Mary of Marshfield; and Mary Ellen Carey and her husband James of Southington, CT.
Kevin was the loving grandfather to 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral will be held from the Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury on Thursday, June 26, 2014 followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Theresa of Avila Church, West Roxbury on Friday at 10:00 AM. Visiting Hours Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Interment will take place at Milton Cemetery, Milton. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kevin may be made to the Kyran E. Kennedy Award at the University of Massachusetts Boston, c/o Vanessa DiCarlo, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston MA 02125. US Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.