John R. Kennedy

John R. Kennedy, 87
KENNEBUNK -- John R. Kennedy, 87, of Kennebunk, passed peacefully on Feb. 28, 2012 after a period of declining health.
He was born in Portland on May 5, 1924, the son of James Calvin and Janet McNeil Kennedy. John graduated from Portland High School in 1942 and was a veteran of World War II proudly serving his country in Italy. In December 1944, he married Louise A. Jensen of South Portland. John was service manager for over 20 years at Hillman Auto Electric in Portland. In the early fifties, he took an active interest in the Pride's Corner PTA, served as an alderman on the Westbrook City Council and was President of the City Republican Committee. He was an active member of the Pride's Corner Congregational Church and was influential in the construction of a new church on Pride Street. His interest in local government inspired him to become certified in Municipal Administration. He served as Town Manager in Tremont, Madison and Kittery, Maine. He prided himself for trying to 'look out for the taxpayer'. Retiring in 1984, he became certified as a Real Estate Appraiser and operated his own appraisal firm until 1998. After Louise's death in 1979, he married Mary Ann Danzell. They resided in Eliot moving to Kennebunk in 2004. John was a man of great faith and was an active member of the Eliot and Wells Congregational Churches. He especially enjoyed his time at the camp he and his family built on Raymond Pond in 1963 and his winters in Hilton Head. His other interests included traveling, gardening, finance, classical music, the Red Sox and most of all family gatherings. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Besides Louise, he was predeceased by his parents; brothers James and William, and sister Ellen. He is survived by Mary Ann, his sister Marian Rich (Kenneth); his son John, Jr. (Meg), daughter Kathryn Surgi (Rand), step-children Deborah Garabedian (Edward), William Danzell (Louisa) and Peter Danzell; grandchildren John R. Kennedy III (Kim), Brian Kennedy (Jessica), Leslie and Megan Danzell, Sarah Bo Morel (Brian), Lindsay Street (Ryan) and Logan, Jamie, Will, Luke and Zack Danzell; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of John's life will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Wells, 1695 Post Road (Route 1), Wells. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. Care for the Kennedy family has been entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to:
The Steeple Fund, Congregational Church of Wells or
The Salvation Army, Portland
John R. Kennedy