Brian Kennedy

Kennedy, Brian
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - Brian Thomas Kennedy, 69 of Troy, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023, surrounded by family.
Brian was born in Munich, Germany on January 24, 1953, to Robert M. Kennedy and Jeanne A. LeMay of Troy. Brian attended grade school PS 126 on Governors Island, N.Y., Sacred Heart School in Troy, and the Wynantskill School of North Greenbush. Brian graduated from Troy High School and Siena College in Loudonville, where he studied biology.
Brian received a Regular Army Commission in 1975 and served as an air defense artillery officer with the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. In May of 1976, Brian married Madeline Ruether of Troy. They resided in Colorado Springs, Colo. until moving to Washington, D.C. when Brian attended Georgetown University School of Dentistry, graduating with a D.D.S. in 1982.
Brian and Madeline returned to Troy to raise their four children: Christopher Robert Kennedy (Danniela) of Ellicott City, Md., Jeffrey Brian Kennedy (Laura) of Ellicott City, Md., Elizabeth Kennedy Cordes (Daniel) of Gaithersburg, Md. and Catherine Rapier Kennedy of Oakton, Va.
They spent over 30 years in the community and were longtime members of the R.P.I. Chapel & Cultural Center and Troy Country Club. Brian began his dental career as an associate with Joseph M Sullivan DDS PC then became a partner before taking full ownership at Sullivan and Kennedy DDS PC. He accepted a reserve commission and was called back to active duty twice and served in Iraq. He retired from the Army in 2009 as a full colonel. Brian's many medical mercy and support missions to Central America, Northern Africa and Europe were his personal highlights of 36 years of military service.
Brian was the president of the New York State Dental Association in 2004 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the N.Y.S. Dental Foundation. He served on the Council on Dental Education and Licensure at the American Dental Association and was chairman of the Continuing Education Recognition Program and council chair. He served on the Evidence Based Advisory Group for several years. He retired in 2016 to be with Madeline full-time in Bonita Springs, Fla. after she was diagnosed with ALS.
Brian was a dedicated advocate and spokesperson for people diagnosed and affected by ALS; his support and devotion to Madeline throughout her illness was unwavering. He enjoyed golf, gardening, his seven grandchildren, and caring for his friends and neighbors in retirement. Brian is remembered as a generous, selfless, devoted husband and father.
He was predeceased by Madeline Ruether Kennedy; his parents, Robert and Jeanne Kennedy; his sister, Carol; and his brothers, Timothy, Thomas, and Joseph. He is survived by his four children; his sister, Katie Marschilok (John); his brother, John Kennedy (Gloria); his grandchildren, Caroline and Julia Kennedy, Sloane, Josephine and Patrick Kennedy, and Madeline and Victoria Cordes; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Brian will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery beside Madeline in 2024.
In lieu of flowers, Brian requested donations to the St. Peter's ALS Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY, 12205.