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BORN
1941
DIED
2022
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Stephen Kennedy Obituary
West Harwich, MA — Stephen M. Kennedy, of West Harwich, MA and Pembroke, NH, formerly of Dunbarton, NH, passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, after a sudden illness. Born in Paterson, NJ on July 24, 1941, Steve was the son of Pat and Anne Kennedy.
Steve is the beloved husband of Jackie Kennedy of West Harwich, MA and loving Dad to Neil Kennedy of Manchester, NH; Geoffrey and Eileen (Mullen) Kennedy of Pembroke, NH; Jocelyn Kennedy and Seth Beecher of Farmington, CT; and Ashley Williams, stationed at RAF Mildenhall, UK. He was the best "Papa" to Patrick and Margaret Rose Kennedy, Kennedy Lamson, Adrianna Williams, Hannah Kennedy, Bram Kennedy and Zoe Dominguez, and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his faithful dog Kipper, and the countless friends around the globe that he leaves behind.
Steve served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963. The consummate salesman, he may have tried to sell you something at your front door. Steve proudly served on the Board of Selectman in Dunbarton, N.H. where he was also an EMT and member of the Volunteer Fire Department. You may have seen him in one of many musical productions with the Concord Community Players. He was usually the one in drag.
The professional role he loved the most was serving the State of New Hampshire as Commissioner of Administrative Services under Governor John H. Sununu. The Commish believed in doing right by people, treating every one he encountered with fairness, kindness, and respect. He was the tough guy with a big heart.
Steve Kennedy was larger than life. Known for his boisterous personality, gift of song, and the unique ability to befriend anyone in the room, Steve would talk to anyone, at any time, about anything. He was best known for his unfailing kindness toward others. Steve was always ready with open arms to offer a hand up, sound advice, or a big hug.
Steve was passionate about many things in life: his family, his friends, politics, baseball, and his collection (www.1939baseball.com). He was most passionate about memories—the stories people leave behind often found in the small items in their top bureau drawer. He was dedicated to serving as a custodian of these objects, preserving the stories of other collectors, and keeping their memory alive by passing their stories on. Throughout his life, Steve instilled this same passion in others…his memories live on in all of us.
Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday, October 18th from 5 to 7 P.M. in The Roan Family Funeral Home, 167 Main St. in Pembroke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 19th at 10 A.M. in St. John the Baptist Church in Allenstown. Burial will follow in Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the National Federation of the Blind or to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Kennedy
Priscilla Young
October 10, 2025
Hard to believe that 3 years have passed since Steve has been gone. The Elinor Lane neighborhood is not the same. My kind neighbor is very much missed.
priscilla c young
October 11, 2024
2 years have gone by and you are still missed in the neighborhood.
priscilla c young
October 10, 2023
Can't believe it's been a year since Steve's passing. The "mayor" is greatly missed in the neighborhood. Rest well Steve.
Priscilla Young
Jayne Mary Phelps
November 9, 2022
So very sorry to hear of Steve's passing . He was a wonderful neighbor and I will miss our conversations as he would walk with Kipper along Harniss Rd.
Joan and Ed McNelley
October 17, 2022
We´re so sorry for your loss. We have great memories of Steve walking by with Kipper and stopping to ask how my hockey player Grandson is progressing with his career. All the Cape neighbors were so excited to spend his " surprise" birthday with him and celebrate with a wonderful man. We´ll miss him.
TIM MASON
October 17, 2022
Jackie, so sorry for your loss. Steve was one of the best bosses a person could ever have. We had a lotta laughs to say the least during his tenure. Will never forget our best of times.
Tim Mason
JoAn Bunten
October 16, 2022
Good evening,
I worked for this man and he was a special guy indeed.
Jo Bunten, Division of Personnel, Administrative Services <3
Brad Duffy
October 16, 2022
Steve was one of the good guys!
A knowledgeable baseball enthusiast who appreciated the game.
priscilla young
October 16, 2022
So sad our neighborhood has lost it's "mayor". One of the best neighbors you could have. Will miss our chats with a very patient Kipper waiting at his feet.
Priscilla Young
priscilla young
October 16, 2022
so sad our neighborhood has lost it's "mayor". Steve was the best neighbor you could have. Will miss our chats with Kipper patiently waiting at his feet.
Priscilla Young
Robert D Machain
October 16, 2022
Mr. Kennedy, Thank you for your service RDM Windham NH Semper Fidelis
Eleanor and Bob Casey
October 15, 2022
We were devastated to learn that we had lost a wonderful neighbor and friend. Our deepest sympathy to Jackie and his family.
Steve was a familiar sight in our West Harwich neighborhood walking Kipper. We loved when he stopped to chat on his trips around the block. He
was a great listener as well as a sharer of many wonderful stories. He was very knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. We are going to miss him stopping by for a chat. One of the nicest neighbors whom we will deeply miss.
Philip Geraci & Nancy Geraci
October 14, 2022
Something is different in our neighborhood, we are not seeing Kipper leading a tall large man throughout the roads of West Harwich Cape Cod.
The nicest, kindess gentle giant who brought calm and joy to our neighborhood.
Every neighborhood should have a Steve/Kipper Kennedy and then the world will be a better place.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
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