John Joseph Kennedy
1935-2019
Kennedy, John Joseph, 83, of Lanark, Antigonish County,
passed away at home on June 6, 2019 surrounded by
family.
John was born to Roderick and Jean (MacDonald) Kennedy on
September 21, 1935, and raised by Rod and stepmother Tina (MacLean)
after the passing of his mother Jean.
Born and raised on the Kennedy farm in Lanark, he lived,
worked, and raised his family there and never wished for any other
life. He was a gentle giant of a man – a classic farmer with the
strength of an ox – and the foundation of his large family.
He and his wife Florence started with a small mixed farm and trucking
company. After “losing their vote”, trucking was out and
dairy was the future. With hard work they built it into a modern farm
which continues to operate as a 3rd generation
dairy farm
A devoted Catholic, John was a man of strength and character.
When a friend or neighbour needed a helping hand, they knew they could
count on John. He was a big man of few words who was known to leave a
conversation when too many were spoken. Though known for his quiet
demeanour, those close to him appreciated his keen observation, sharp
wit, and the twinkle in his eye. John’s favourite colour was
blue – Leafs, X-Men, and the Tories. He also loved tug-o-war and
softball, competing himself as a young fella and watching his children
and grandchildren after him.
He was devoted to his wife of 56 years, Florence, and will be
deeply missed by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all
who knew him.
John is survived by his wife Florence (MacDonald); children,
Shawn (Lynn), Fairmont; Roddie (Jeannie),Lanark; Jean (David
Keith),Calgary; Elaine, Antigonish; Blair (Fabiana), California;
Joanne (Bruce Squires), Ottawa; grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Andrew),
Bryan, Ben, Jonathan, Riley, (their mother Linda), Ryan, Dan, Ryan,
Kerilyn, Makayla, Eilysh, Seamus, Ruby, Malcolm, Angus, Grady, Ella,
Audrey and Olivia; and great grandchildren, Evie and Leo; and sister,
Loretta Troyer, Point-Claire, Quebec;.
John was predeceased by his daughter Jennifer Corinne, sister
Mary McCarron, a sister in infancy, brothers-in-law Peter Troyer and
Leonard McCarron.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in
C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.
Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 11:00am in St. Ninian Cathedral,
Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish
cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations to Nova Scotia Lung Association or
Heart and Stroke Foundation appreciated.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
Somebody who’d bale a family together with the soft
strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then
reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life
‘doing what dad does. So God made a farmer. –
Paul Harvey
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Joseph Kennedy 19352019..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia