Edward Kennedy

1932 - 2017

Edward Francis Kennedy, PhD

WORCESTER - Edward was born on January 2, 1932 to Edward Francis Kennedy, Sr. and Marion Mitchell Kennedy in Chicago, Illinois. He was the second of five siblings including Joan Miller, Marion Volini, Janet Wiesner, and Tom Kennedy. He attended Loyola University in Chicago on full scholarship while also working full time at Argonne National Laboratories, and subsequently he earned his PhD in physics at the University of Notre Dame.

Dr. Kennedy taught as a professor of physics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts for 38 years passing on his enthusiasm for learning and scientific inquiry to thousands of undergraduates. Dr. Kennedy was well-known for a keen sense of humor, a facility for communicating complex ideas, and an easygoing manner. He was frequently honored by his students with teaching awards. He served as Chairman of the Department of Physics, and he retired as Professor Emeritus.

He conducted experimental research in solid-state physics with the use of his Van de Graaff generator at Holy Cross, and often during sabbaticals at other institutions such as the Cavendish Laboratories at Cambridge University in England; Caltech University in Pasadena, California; the Fraunhofer Institute in Munich, Germany; and the Mathematics Institute in Aarhus, Denmark. Dr. Kennedy's research helped open the doors for the ubiquitous use of semiconductors in the world today.

In 1956 he married Marcia Daly, the love of his life. Together they have had a devoted, blessed, and supportive relationship that has been exemplary for all who have known them, especially their six children and their families:

* Kathryn Kennedy-Brown, David Brown, and their four children, Michael, Geoffrey, Douglas, and Theresa.

* Edward (Ned) Kennedy, Dani Kennedy, and their two children, Edward (Ted), and Dan, and Ted's wife and son, Kerri and Rye.

* Maribeth Kennedy Salois, Robert Salois, and their four children, Elizabeth, Christopher, Steven, and Michael.

* Christopher Kennedy and Janice Kennedy, and their six children, Kathryn, Alice, Kara, Ryan, Deirdre, and Bridget.

* Marci Kennedy Toalson, Steve Toalson, and their four children, Colin, Guin, Shannon, and Christopher.

* John Mitchell Kennedy.

Ed enjoyed his fellowship in the local tennis community. For many years Ed and Marcia were known as a formidable mixed doubles tennis team. He was also an adventuresome traveler and in retirement Ed, Marcia, and John enjoyed their summers at their home on the coast of Maine.

Ed was a devoted practicing Catholic, and was a strong believer in implementing the tenets of his faith. He was involved in many service groups through Immaculate Conception Parish. He was a frequent daily communicant at the Assumption College Chapel. In 2016 he was recognized by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society with the Top Hat Award for extraordinary service to members of the community who suffer from poverty and other hardships.

Ultimately, Ed was afflicted with mesothelioma. Amidst a great outpouring of love and support, he died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 23, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester.

The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 28, at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Worcester.

Calling hours are Friday, January 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester.