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JOSEPH JEROME KENNEDY III

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JOSEPH KENNEDY Obituary

Name: Memorial service for JOSEPH JEROME KENNEDY III
Start: 2018-05-12T15:00:00.000Z
Location: East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC)

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 5 to May 6, 2018.

KENNEDY
JOSEPH JEROME III
Passed away suddenly on May 1, 2018, at his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 75. Joe Kennedy III was born on April 17, 1943, to the late Joseph J. Kennedy, Jr. and Thelma M. "Jennifer" (Copeland) Kennedy. He married Jean Carolyn Megginson on June 25, 1966, in Washington, D.C., a union that lasted over 51 years. After graduating from Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1961, Joe Kennedy III earned his Bachelor of Science and Master's Degrees in Music Education from Duquesne University in 1965 and 1971, respectively. Kennedy was an accomplished composer and arranger, as well as a skilled pianist and French Hornist who was one of the first African-Americans to perform as part of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. During the day, Kennedy taught music in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 42 years, becoming the highest rated Instructional Teacher Leader (Master Teacher) in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and chairing the committee that developed the city's Magnet Schools curriculum, which Newsweek magazine hailed as the best in the world. At night, along with vocalist Frank LaVelle, Kennedy was a member of the popular musical duo Kennedy & LaVelle, the city's highest paid nightclub act in the 1960s and 70s. Joe Kennedy III was an active member of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, where he was an ordained Deacon and served as the leader of the Contemporaries Adult Sunday School class, as a member of the East End Cooperative Ministries shelter meal team, and as the leader of the Men's Fellowship. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC), followed by a light reception. Joe is survived by his wife, Jean C. Kennedy; son, Joseph J. Kennedy IV; sister, Victoria Lynne Kennedy; sisters-in-law, Theressa Turner and Valeria Megginson; brother-in-law, Lorenzo Megginson (Jackie); and a host of relatives, friends, fans and former students. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to The African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh, P.O. Box 8240, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
www.mccabebrothers.com

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Recent Activity

August 9, 2025

Nicole Southern posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2022

Beverly Frederick posted to the memorial.

June 16, 2019

Lygia Forrest posted to the memorial.

15 Entries

Nicole Southern

August 9, 2025

I was recently remembering Mr. Kennedy and thinking how I wanted to look for him on Facebook so I could thank him for teaching me so many things through music and word find puzzles, when I was a young girl at Greenfield Elementary School. I have a knack for finding hidden things and a love for music (I can also play a song or two by ear if I sit still long enough to find the tune). Lots of wonderful songs, from before my time, I know and remember because of Mr. Kennedy. I recognize now that he taught me great lessons in patience and integrity and I just wanted to say thank you.

Sincerely,
Nicole M. Southern

Beverly Frederick

April 7, 2022

04.07.2022:
Just saw the Obituaries Yesterday

Joe:
Your Father and Mother's Family and Friends Have Our Deepest Condolences...
I met Kennedy & Lavelle (one of the Best Performers) in the mid 1970s at The Encore in Shadyside & we followed them for years !
By the way, your Dad introduced me to You (when you were 7 years old) while I was shopping in the East Hills Shopping Center.

Lygia Forrest

June 16, 2019

My name is Lygia Forrest and my Father, Lawrence Forrest, who has since passed on 10 years ago, talked about Mr. Kennedy often with much affection. They were very good friends. I send my prayers to the family and it might help to know that I believe my Father was there to welcome Mr. Kennedy home and now they are together again.

Susan Koval

May 19, 2018

I was so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I was still in high school, a student of Frank's the first time I met him. He was a quiet and humble person. Any time I was able to go see Frank & Joe perform, he always went out of his way to come and speak to me, something that I would never forget. It has been several years since I have seen him, the last time was Peggy had a surprise birthday party for Frank around 1998 or 1999. Reading all that other have to say about him wish that I had had an opportunity to know him better. His presence, talent and friendship will be missed by many. But, I have no doubt when he passed to his eternal home, the first words he heard were "Well done my good and faithful servant." Thoughts and prayers are sent for his family and friends. May God Bless You All.

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May 19, 2018

I am sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of comfort be with you and your family in this time of sorrow. (Rom. 15:4)

May 19, 2018

I am sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of comfort be with you and your family in this time of sorrow. (Rom. 15:4)

Karen Beasley

May 15, 2018

Mr. Kennedy (and the last time I saw you and Jean at church, you said "Joe"), I'm so deeply sorry, Jean. By happenstance, I saw Margot in Walgreens and she told me that Joe had passed. The news hit me hard because had I known that Joe passed I'd have attended his memorial service. Jean, you and Joe exemplified the definition of "pillars of the church," and I so loved your presence at ELPC. I didn't know that Joe was a talented and esteemed musician and teacher in the Pittsburgh public schools and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He was alos a classy and dignified gentleman. I extend my sincere condolences to Jean and his family.

Queen Mother

Myra Brown

May 12, 2018

Ayaba Bey

May 12, 2018

May 7, 2018

Dear Joe: I was saddened to read about your recent loss. Please accept my sympathies. - Jeffrey Lawrence Pollock, Esq. (Sq. Hill)

H G

May 7, 2018

Dr kennendy we celabrate your life. You were a Gem of the Ocean, you'll be greatly missed by the many lives you touched. May God bless your beloved family.

Raymond McCorkle

May 6, 2018

From Raymond McCorkle and Family;

Joe,

Your unselfish lifestyle is a testament of your faith, mission and clearly evident following of how the people of God will be when following your example.

Over the 20 + years that I followed you, your light and diligence in serving God through your love of ministry and addressing and promising an oasis for those seeking God's help, you have taught me the essence of true virtue and steadfastness in serving Christ.

You never ceased to amaze me with the patient, focused, style of leadership in which you uphold the tasks that you put your hands to.

Your posture as friend, mentor and teacher will always be a reference of what knowing you has meant to me in life. Your family has a great light among them.

God bless you Joe, these words cannot say how tremendously you've blessed my life.
You are truly unforgettable.

Your friend.
Ray McCorkle

May 5, 2018

You have our deepest sympathies. We pray in your behalf, and we look forward to the day when we will welcome back our loved ones on a Paradise earth. Psm 37:29

Thomas Anthony Moore

May 5, 2018

Any attempt to describe God's presence will at best be like looking at a picture of a place you've never been. Perception is one thing, but seeing the real thing is quite another. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!