FREDERICK, MD/ NATICK: Ted Kennedy, 85, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 11, 2011 at his residence in Frederick, MD.
He was born in McAndrew, KY on September 29, 1925 the son of the late Elliot Kennedy and Chloe (Kennedy) Kennedy. He was the beloved husband of the late Filena T. (DiDonato) Kennedy who died in July of 1982.
Ted is survived by his children Ted J. Kennedy and his wife Kathy of Grafton; Carlene A. Sample and her husband David L. of Walkersville, MD; Gerald P. “Jerry” Kennedy of Dorchester; Wayne M. Kennedy and his wife Barbara of Natick and Richard E. Kennedy of Framingham. He was the proud grandfather of Heather Sample Meade and her husband John of New Market, MD; Courtney Kennedy of Natick and Steven and Keri Kennedy both of Natick. He became a great-grandfather in June of 2010 to Haley Marie Kennedy of Natick. Sadly, Ted did not get a chance to meet Haley or his other great-grandchild, Baby Meade, due in May of 2011. He was the brother of Gertrude Wallace, Junior Abshire, Ethel Smith, Joanne Horn and Oscar Kennedy all of Kentucky and the late John and Richard Kennedy. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ted had been a resident of East Natick for over 30 years before moving to Maryland. At the age of 16 he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Ted served his country proudly during World War II and the Korean War. He met his wife Filena in Newton and they married in 1954 and settled in East Natick where they raised their children.
For 21 years, Ted worked for General Motors in Framingham as the Stock Coordinator for the Assembly line. Upon his retirement, he moved to Maryland to escape the cold New England winters. He was devoted to his faith and associated with the Church of Christ in Natick and Maryland. He enjoyed spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by them and all of the lives he touched.
Visitations will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd (off Rte 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
His funeral services will be held in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the funeral home on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Kennedy family lot in Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, PO BOX 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.