John M. Kennedy

KENNEDY John M. Kennedy, 79, loving husband of Yvonne, died peacefully at his home on October 26, 2007 in Fairfield. A native New Yorker, Mr. Kennedy lived for sixty years with his wife and eight children in Fairfield. He was the son of New York Congressman Martin J. Kennedy and graduated from the Loyola School and Fordham Prep, both in New York City. He attended Princeton University and was a member of the first graduating class of Fairfield University in 1951, graduating summa cum laude. After taking the helm of his father's insurance company in New York City, Martin J. Kennedy Insurance, he began a long and distinguished career on Wall Street at the firm of Dominick and Dominick as Vice-President. He later moved to Smith Barney, where he was a senior vice-president in Westport, CT, until his retirement two years ago. Mr. Kennedy was a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation in Bridgeport, and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport, two organizations that he cared deeply about and to which he brought his sharp intellect and keen business acumen. He was formerly a member of the New York Stock Exchange Arbitration Panel. He was a life member of the Society of the Friendly Son's of St. Patrick in New York City and a former member of the New York Athletic Club and the Wall Street Club. After his wife and family, the thing that he was most passionate about in his later years was thoroughbred racing. He will long be remembered by his many friends at the Belmont and Saratoga Race Tracks, sitting in his box with his program carefully marked to reflect his mathematical calculations for winning. He was a meticulous man in every way, living with old-fashioned grace and formal style in this modern world. He touched many people with his generosity and kindness, always humble about the impact he had on others. In addition to his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, he will be greatly missed by his loving children: Anne K.Gargano, John M. Kennedy, Jr., Deane O. Kennedy, Cornelia K. Suskind, Alice E. Kennedy and Marita K.Wein. He was sadly predeceased by his daughter Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and his son Martin J. Kennedy. He loved and will be remembered always by his grandchildren: Jay, Meghan, Amanda, Matt, Walter, Johnny, Brian, Laura, Owen, Sarah, Grace, and Julia. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 3, noon, at Fairfield University Egan Chapel in Fairfield. Memorial donations would be welcome at: The Kennedy Endowment Fund, St. Vincent's Medical Center. 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, Ct 06606. Arrangements by the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Trumbull. To send an online condolence please visit www.redgatehennessy.com.