EDWARD JAMES KENNEDY Jr.

1951 - 2025

KENNEDY, Edward James Jr. Massachusetts State Senator Massachusetts State Senator Edward James Kennedy, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Ed was the beloved husband of Susan (Kondra) Kennedy. Ed and Susan recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 9th. The oldest child of the late Edward James Kennedy, Sr. and Emily Kathleen (Kay) (Heslin) Kennedy, he was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and graduated from Lowell High School. Ed earned a degree in history from Boston University and a master's degree in public administration from Fitchburg State University. A lifelong resident of Lowell, Ed loved giving back to his community and devoted many years of his life to public service. Elected as State Senator for the First Middlesex District in 2018, Ed is a four-term member of the Massachusetts State Senate. Ed also spent many years as a Middlesex County Commissioner and as a Lowell City Councilor, serving as Mayor of Lowell from 2016 to 2018. Ed was a steadfast champion for economic development throughout his time on the Lowell City Council.  As mayor, he led the movement to build a centrally located brand-new Lowell High School in the heart of Downtown Lowell. In the state senate, he helped deliver a major reform of the state's education funding formula by supporting the Student Opportunity Act. Ed led the State Senate's response to COVID-19 in the areas of arts and tourism, championing the state's largest ever investment in the cultural sector. He also filed numerous pieces of legislation dealing with the environment, education, and infrastructure, including securing the $100 million bond authorization for the construction of the new Rourke Bridge. Ed also prioritized top notch constituent service for all who came to him with a request. Ed was happiest spending time with his family. Ed and Susan enjoyed nothing more than spending days with their children and grandchildren. Ever the outdoorsman, Ed loved hiking and spending days at the beaches of Maine with his family. Ed was an enthusiastic sports fan, making time to attend almost all his grandchildren's various sporting events. Ed also loved music and enjoyed attending concerts with friends and family. Ed had such a passion for life. He loved conversation and was always ready with a story. He was very much loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Ed leaves behind many loved ones including his lovely wife Susan; his son Edward J. Kennedy III and his wife Ashley R. Fairbank of Cape Neddick, ME; his daughter Christina E. Kennedy and her husband Matthew W. Miles of Chelmsford; three beloved grandchildren, Jackson E. Miles and Brayden M. Miles of Chelmsford, and Ellis R. Kennedy of Cape Neddick, ME. Ed leaves behind his two brothers, Francis Daniel (Dan) Kennedy of Lowell, MA, and John Kennedy and his wife Helen Kennedy of Dracut, MA; and his sister-in-law Judith Micozzi and her husband Andrew; and his brother-in-law, John Kondra and his wife Doreen. Ed is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, a large, close group of cousins, and several dear friends with whom he shared wonderful memories, especially Frank Heslin and Jack McWilliams. Visiting Hours: You are welcome to attend his Calling Hours on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 3 pm until 7 pm, at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, LOWELL, MA 01852. His Funeral will begin on Wednesday, at the funeral home, at 10 am. His funeral Mass will take place at 11 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, followed by procession for Burial at Saint Patrick Cemetery. McDonough Funeral Home www.McDonoughFuneralHome.com

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