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Thomas Kennedy Obituary

Kennedy, Major Thomas E.

Major Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, a native of New City, NY, was killed in action August 8, 2012 in Kunar Province in Afghanistan. Kennedy was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, Colorado. Tom was raised in New City, NY, and attended Clarkstown schools, as well as Don Bosco Preparatory School in Ramsey, NJ, and the Salisbury Preparatory School in Connecticut. He was commissioned to the Army on May 27, 2000 after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. In addition to his most recent deployment to Afghanistan, Tom served in Iraq from February 2003-2004 and again in Iraq from August 2005-2006. Upon his return, Tom was selected to become a Tactical Officer at West Point, during which he also earned a Master's degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

As a decorated officer, he earned dozens of awards and service medals, including Bronze Star Medal (2), Purple Heart and Bronze Star Posthumous, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star (4), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab. During his time as a cadet at West Point, Tom was a member of the Army hockey team. Upon returning to West Point as a Tactical Officer, Tom volunteered as an Officer Representative for the team and served as the President of the Army Hockey Association.

He is survived by his wife, Kami Joyce Kennedy, son Brody Thomas, daughter Margaret Mae, parents George and Patricia Kennedy of the Villages, FL, brothers, John Kennedy and wife Amy of Cumming, GA, George Kennedy, III and wife, Katie of Cranford, NJ, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Frank and Debra Joyce of Hong Kong, China, sister-in-law Kitchi Joyce of Atlanta, GA, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Tom was a loving and loyal husband, father, son, brother, uncle, son-in-law, godfather, cousin and friend. His passing has left a void in all of the lives he has touched. He was a true American hero that will never be forgotten.

Well done. Be thou at peace.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Thursday, August 16 at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Friday, August 17 at The Cadet Chapel, West Point, NY followed by interment in the Post Cemetery at West Point. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Major Thomas Kennedy Children's Trust via the Kennedy's Angels page on www.youcaring.com.

Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 845-446-2868 or www.wfhoganfuneral home.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Journal News on Aug. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Kennedy

Not sure what to say?





Brian Donnelly

August 8, 2015

Dear Tommy;
Another year has passed since your untimely death, but not a day goes by that you are not thought of and prayed for! We are so grateful to have been a part of your life and you a part of ours and although you may be gone, you will never be forgotten.The world is a lesser place without you here!Thank you for your service, friendship and for you being you! Rest in Peace !! "Uncle" Brian and the Donnelly and Boyle families!!

July 1, 2015

Thank you for your service & sacrifice. We have not forgotten.

Peggy Childers

March 16, 2013

To the family of Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy:
Thomas gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."

Paul & Sharon Swan

August 21, 2012

We are so, so sorry to hear about the loss of this fine young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and especially with Pat and George!!

Margaret Vetter

August 20, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in time of terrible loss and grief. God Bless you Thomas and there are not enough words to express our gratitude for your service and sacrifice. Rest in Peace with the Lord forever, Amen.

Keith-Rosemary Parker

August 18, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. Tom will always be remembered by our family.

Andrea

August 18, 2012

Rest in Peace for I did not know you but I thank god for putting you on earth to protect us to live in a free and safe USA. God Bless

Mike Palmeri

August 16, 2012

Rest in peace, my brother in arms. May your family and friends recall and remember all the happy times they had with you.
(Vietnam vet.)

Peter Palko

August 16, 2012

There are many Kennedys, but I knew Dad George from New City Little League, his wife was Patty and Tommy played Little League. If this is the right family I am both deeply saddened and mightily proud to have known such a fine man as a boy. Tommy is a true American hero.

Peter Palko ( manager New City Royals)

michael carroll

August 16, 2012

thank you for always giving. you impacted my sons life when you gave him and his don bosco hockey teamates a day to remember at west point. rip

Sylvia Kronenwetter

August 16, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one and hero Thomas, and
my sincerest gratitude for his service for our country.
God Bless you Major Thomas E.Kennedy...you will not be forgotten.

August 16, 2012

I didn't meet your or your family,but my daughter did babysit for you at WestPoint.My heartfelt sympathy is with your family as well as my daily prayers. You will always be remebered with warm thoughts.Love and Prayers for the whole Kennedy family.
mg

Nancy Moriarty

August 16, 2012

To the entire Kennedy Family,
May God bless and comfort you at this most difficult time. My heart breaks with you.
Nancy Moriarty

S MacDaniel

August 16, 2012

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Thomas will never be forgotten.

For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I'm home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I'm only a civilian
And I don't even know if it's allowed

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn't make it home.
I know you're in God's presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .

I Salute You.

Suzanne MacDaniel - A Proud Aunt
Colonie, NY
SGT. David M. Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 - Iraq

Patti Dente

August 15, 2012

I didn't know you Thomas or your family or friends but I am sending you now an Angel in heaven a Praise of Thanks to you for serving our Country and protecting our freedom, I am so proud of you and for all you did for the USA in such a short time of your life.... to your wife , children, parents brothers & other family & friends I am sending you all prayers & strength knowing he sacfied his life for the USA and know people who didn't even know him are proud of him and for what his family has now too sacrificed ....Major Thomas E Kennedy is now the Calm sound of the Ocean Waves, he's the warmth of the sun and he's the gentle Breeze in the air and Now he's a shining Star in the night sky ....God Bless your family

August 15, 2012

Thank you for your service to our country. I pray for your family and thank them as well. I wish them strength and peace.

August 15, 2012

God Bless Thomas E. Kennedy. Thank you for your service to keep us all safe. God Bless your family and friends and know their heartache is shared by others. Rest in Peace

Christina Morrison

August 15, 2012

R.I.P. Thank you for all youve done for our Country.

Janelle Kenny

August 15, 2012

Our deepest sympathies and love to the entire Kennedy family. We are so very sorry for your loss. Robby spoke of your family often, with love and fondness and had an exceptional amount of pride in Tommy and his service and bravery. We will continue to pray for your strength and your healing as you try to move forward with this difficult and painful loss. Janelle Kenny, Ryan, Sean and Ella. ps. I know that Mr. Kenny and Robby and Tom's other loved ones greeted him ... one day we will all be united.

Erlinda Brent

August 15, 2012

Blessings on your Spirit. Thank you for your work.

Sylvia Kronenwetter

August 13, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one and hero Thomas, and my sincerest gratitude for his service for our country.
God Bless you Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy...you will not be forgotten.

Ed S.

August 12, 2012

God Bless Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy. Thank you for your service to keep us all safe. God Bless your family and friends and know their heartache is shared by others. Rest in Peace Brother.

Mike and Maureen Donahue

August 11, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. TK was a special man who was a ttue hero

August 11, 2012

To the family,friends and troops of Major Kennedy, I offer my deepest sorrow for your loss. His mark will forever be our hearts and mind. His military service will forever be recognized.

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