Melvin H. Kennedy

Melvin H. Kennedy On Saturday, June 30, 2007 Melvin H. Kennedy passed away at home in Burlingame, CA, at the age of 84. Mel was born on September 12, 1922 in Bay City, MI. Following military service during World War II, he attended and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan in 1949. Immediately following graduation he joined the accounting and consulting firm of Touche, Niven, Bailey & Smart, now Deloitte & Touche, in Detroit, MI. One of his proudest achievements as a young professional accountant was attaining the highest standing in one of the sections of the CPA examination conducted by the Michigan State Board of Accountancy. His performance as a CPA was recognized early as he was called upon to move to San Francisco to assist the firm in establishing its new Bay Area office following the merger with a local firm in 1950. Mel's career as a corporate financial executive commenced when he joined Pacific Scientific in 1955, followed by Pacific Industries and, most importantly, in 1966, when he joined Marcona Corporation, a San Francisco headquartered international mining and shipping company where he became Senior Vice President, Finance. It was during this employment that he met his loving wife, Peggy, originally of Lima, Peru whom he married in 1968. Following the Peruvian government's nationalization of Marcona's mining operations in 1974 and until his retirement in 1988, Mel served in various executive financial positions to the successive owners of Marcona's remaining operations which included Utah International, General Electric and Broken Hill Proprietary of Australia. His professionalism and dedication to duty, coupled with a no-nonsense approach to solving problems was appreciated by all who had the opportunity to work with him. Prior to his retirement he was active in various professional organizations, including the Financial Executives Institute. He was a proud member of the Heritage Foundation. Mel was particularly fond of his years of association with The World Trade Club of San Francisco, being one of the founding members following its creation in 1960 and a member of its Board of Directors. Mel's retirement allowed him to continue his passion for golf, first, as a long time member of Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae, followed by a move to Pauma Valley, CA, where he and Peggy resided for 11 years before moving back to the SF Peninsula in 2005. During this period, as residents of the Pauma Valley Country Club properties, Mel and Peggy had the opportunity to expand their network of many friends as Mel continued his golf game coupled with his competitiveness at the gin rummy and domino table. Mel was surrounded by his family when he passed away: his beloved wife of 39 years, Peggy; son, Robert M. Kennedy of Santa Rosa, CA; and daughter, Geni Maffei of San Mateo, CA. Mel leaves behind four grandchildren: Jonathon Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Jr., Alexander Maffei and Michael Maffei. Mel's oldest daughter, Valerie, preceded his death in 2006. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 16, 2007, 10am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1310 Bayswater Avenue, Burlingame, CA. The family requests that contributions be made to any charity of your choice.