John Harrison Kennedy entered eternal life surrounded by loving family on Friday, October 25, 2024 at his home.
He was born in Needham MA on August 29, 1931, the son of John Campbell Kennedy and Alberta (Smith) Kennedy. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Chiaramonte) Kennedy of Mystic, his daughter Linda Kennedy of Norwalk; his son John (Kennedy) Daken and wife Abigail Daken of Silver Spring MD, along with their children Eleanor and James. He was predeceased by his sister Phyllis Kent of Edgecomb ME.
John grew up in Needham MA pursuing his love of sports (ice hockey, track and tennis) music (high school marching band, concert orchestra, and church choir). He attended Dartmouth College, BA Class of 1953, and Dartmouth’s associated Thayer School of Engineering, MSME Class of 1954. He continued to serve Thayer School as Treasurer of the Dartmouth Society of Engineers for over 30 years after graduation. He was awarded the Sylvanus Thayer award for dedicated service to the Thayer School. John enjoyed playing the alto saxophone with the Dartmouth Alumni Band for over 30 years marching with the undergraduate band at Homecoming Weekend each year. He continued to serve the Dartmouth Class of 1953 as coordinator of memorial books and as a fund raiser. John was also involved for many years in the Dartmouth Club of Southeastern CT serving as District Enrollment Director and several terms as President. He was a Life Member of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Dartmouth Society of Engineers.
Following graduation, John served four years active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Bombardier-Navigator in carrier-based heavy-attach aircraft during the cold war period between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He then served an additional 18 years as a navigator in a Naval Reserve Transport Squadron retiring in 1978 with the rank of Commander.
John’s civilian work experience started at Electric Boat in the Research & Development Department where he was involved in many special projects including submarine acoustic surveys, new product development and finally as Section Chief of the Surface Effect Ship (a type of hovercraft) Group for six years. John and two of the group’s lead engineers then left EB to form their own company that culminated as Hovermarine Corp., a worldwide company specializing in sidewall hovercraft for military and commercial applications. He left that company in 1975 joining Yardney Electric Co., later Yardney Technical Products Div. of Whittaker Corp., managing activities related to development of advanced batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Upon retirement from Yardney in 1990, John formed his own consultant firm, Kennedy Technical Services, with primary activities funded by the USDOE’s Clean Cities Program. This program supported local public utilities and commercial firms in converting or augmenting their fleets for operation on alternative (to petroleum) fuel vehicles or to hybrids.
One special activity by John and his associate consultant, Dr. Mike Tucchio was teaching middle school students to design and race solar-powered model cars in the U.S. Government’s Junior Solar Sprints Program. John retired from his consulting activities in 2013. He was a Life Member of the American Society of Engineers and the Dartmouth Society of Engineers.
John was active in the Mystic community for many years. He served on the Board of the Mystic Flag Committee for over 40 years with several terms as President and led the development of Liberty Pole Square next to the flagpole. He also held the position of Treasurer of the Mystic Fire District for over 20 years. John was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal for 46 years serving as Minister of Communion, Eucharistic Visitor, Sunday School Teacher, Leader of Lay Pastoral Care, and several terms on the Vestry. He pursued his love of music singing bass with the Mystic River Chorale for 25 years and with the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus for 10 years.
John pursued his live of sailing since he was a small boy owning sailboats up to 32 feet and sailing the coastal waters of New England including several trips along the Maine coast. He was a avid cross country skier well into his eighties.
John treasured his Scottish heritage and its origins in the Ayreshire region of Scotland.
John was a devoted husband and father, always ready to serve those in need and not knowing how to say no to those asking for his help. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, Dartmouth classmates and fellow parishioners of St. Mark’s.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 1:00pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl Street, Mystic with full military honors. Burial will be private for the family at a later date.