Dennis Kennedy

Dennis William Kennedy

Turners Falls, MA - Dr. Dennis William Kennedy, age 75, passed away peacefully in his home in Turners Falls, MA, on June 25th, 2025. Born on January 9, 1950, Dennis was the beloved son of the late William and Frances (O'Leary) Kennedy.

He was a proud graduate of Holy Family High School, Stonehill College, and received his Master's and Doctorate in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

He devoted his life to educating young people. In his early life, he was the director of Cathedral Camp in Lakeville and taught and coached basketball in his hometown of New Bedford. After receiving his PhD, he taught English and Irish literature at Northfield Mount Hermon School for 35 years, where he was a pillar of the community, a basketball coach, a debate coach, a favorite and formative teacher, an adviser to hundreds, a recipient of multiple awards and fellowships, and a leader of student and alumni trips to Ireland.

Dennis loved music, literature, poetry, and the written word and had an unparalleled memory. He had memorized innumerable poems and books and each year on Christmas recited "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" from memory. He always filled the house with singing - songs both real and made-up. His voice, guitar, banjo, piano, and penny whistle were the soundtrack to many lifetimes of happy memories. He was a monumental presence. In his final months, he sat next to a pile of printed poems, the most worn of which was: "Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night: Old age should burn and rave at the close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light".

Among all his many accomplishments, his family was his greatest. He was a devoted husband, a loving and animated father, and a silly and sweet grandfather. He built a beautiful life for his family between an idyllic boarding school campus and the family home on Cape Cod.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 48 years (married July 18, 1976), Mary Kennedy, his children, Katie Kennedy Freeman (Scott), Denny Kennedy (Naomi), Sean Kennedy (Alisha), and grandchildren Maxwell, Madeline, and Olivia Freeman and Nico Kennedy. He was proceeded in death by his sister Sheila Pittman (Robert) and leaves behind his sisters Kathleen Hohl (Thomas), Jane Small (Daniel), Mary Treen (David), and Patricia McKnight (Joseph), and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Our brilliant husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, and friend did not go gentle, and raged against the dying of his brilliant, bright light. It will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

In his living will, Dennis requested: "I want no wake or funeral ceremony. I want those I loved to remember how wonderful my life was, and be happy in their own lives."

A scholarship fund has been set up in his name. Donations can be made at NMH https://together.nmhschool.org/register/NMHGiving - NMH Fund-Financial Aid, in Memory of Dennis W. Kennedy.

Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave., Northfield, Mass is assisting the family with arrangements