William D. Kennedy, 94, a lifelong resident of Lawrence, MA passed away on Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Nevins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Methuen.
Born in Lawrence, William was a graduate of Lawrence High School. He was a highly decorated Captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II having received the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with six oak Leaf Clusters, two overseas service bars and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Four Bronze Stars. He went on to receive a B.S. from Boston College and an M.A. from Suffolk University. William had worked as a Mathematics Teacher at Lawrence High School and went on to become the school’s Assistant Principal and then its Principal retiring in 1976. William was an active member of the American Legion and was a past Commander of Lawrence American Legion Post 15 and more recently, a member of Methuen America Legion Post 102. He was a gifted piano player and enjoyed reading as well as football.
The son of the late William J. and Lillian (Wilde) Kennedy, family members include his wife of 67 years, Helen M. (Shomo) Kennedy, three daughters: Kathleen M. Kennedy of Lawrence, MA, Donna K. Lamontagne and her husband Kenneth of Andover, MA and Patricia A.Kennedy of Lawrence, MA. William is also survived by his sister, Maureen Halloran of Salem, NH, four grandchildren: Laura, Donna, Leo and William Lamontagne as well as many devoted nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Dolores Kennedy who passed away in 2009.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish-St. Augustine Chapel, 128 Ames St., Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, also in Lawrence, MA. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, December 21, 2015 from 4 to 7 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. Memorial contributions may be made in William’s name to LHSAA Scholarship Fund, 70-71 North Parish Road, Lawrence, MA 01843. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.