Sydney
Early on Monday, March 21, 2022, the world lost an incredible husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and friend.
John Kennedy was born on September 2, 1938, in New Waterford to the late Neil and Sadie (MacNeil) Kennedy, the third of nine siblings. With his charm, curly dark hair and dance moves, John was fighting off ladies left, right and centre until the 1950’s when he met the love of his life, Sondra, and it was game over. John and Sonnie built a beautiful and fulfilling life together on Borden Street in Whitney Pier and raised four children. She was always by his side, his best friend and his biggest supporter.
A charismatic, kind and hard-working man, John had time for everyone he met no matter what walk of life they came from or how they crossed paths. He remembered everyone. Those who had the pleasure of knowing him would all say the same thing, he was one of the best storytellers on the Island. His stories were riddled with the knowledge he gained from the many hats he wore in our community, from coal miner and salesman to deputy mayor, entrepreneur and teacher.
John’s barber shop in the Pier changed its location a couple times, but the comfort and inclusiveness he provided never wavered. It wasn’t just a “chop,” it was an experience. People came to John for the safe space he fostered or sometimes just for a good laugh. His family loves hearing the endless stories of how John encouraged and supported people of all age.
For many years John’s devilish smile and twinkling blue eyes was a sight to see as he welcomed you with open arms onto his many boats, but his most beloved was the “Just Johnny” named in memory of his late grandson. He thrived with his family and friends out on the water and was eager to take newcomers out for a rip, always letting them take over the wheel to captain the boat. If you were lucky, you might have been dragged to a dance floor by John and taught his favorite move, “the freeze”.
John also loved hockey, playing it, watching it, and coaching it. His enthusiasm, grit and underdog mentality guided his children and grandchildren through their own hockey experiences. As a die-hard leaf’s fan, he got animated watching them to say the least.
The Kennedy family had John and Sonnie out for cards weekly but were always on the lookout for his slight of hand. He would say his mother taught him and she was the only one to blame. John taught his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play as well, upping the ante with pennies or the promise of treats from the store, but usually let them win anyway.
John preached and portrayed loyalty, perseverance, and gratefulness every single day. He lived life to the fullest and would drop anything for those he loved, and even for those he didn’t but knew needed him.
John will be forever cherished by his devoted wife, Sondra, who he affectionately referred to as ‘Red’; sons, Vince (Ann Marie) Kennedy, David (Cathy) Kennedy, Derek (Ellie) Kennedy, and daughter, Carol Kennedy Rizzetto; grandchildren, Kyle, Jenna, Liz, Cammy, Manda, Breton, Kendra, Ashley, Jordan, and Maria, Tony, Gianni, and Sophia (father, Joe Rizzetto); great-grandchildren, Hayden, Nolan, Alivia, Emma, Mia, Riley, Hannah May, Lucius, Cole, Myla and Luna; brothers, Alex (Dolores), Paul (Pam), Steve (Liz), Archie and Joe; sisters, Helen, Dolores, and sister-in-law, Pricilla.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by brother, Neil (Deet’s); grandson, Johnny Kennedy; granddaughter, Sondra Rizzetto, and son-in-law, Gilbert Oravcez.
John’s family would like to thank Dr. Myatt and Janice for a lifetime of care alongside the doctors and nurses in palliative care and on 3B for their attentiveness and compassion over the last couple weeks. We would also like to thank all our family and friends for their continuous support and thoughtful gestures.
It is requested that donations to the Children’s Wish Foundation be made in memory of John, in lieu of flowers.
Visitation for the late John Kennedy will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022. A celebration of John’s life will be held in the funeral home in the All Faith Chapel on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Victoria Mines.
Covid protocols will be practiced at the service and for those unable to attend, Live Streaming will be available on our website.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of KENNEDY John Vincent 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
Sondra,
My deepest condolences to you, your sons, Tony and Sophia. Gilbert had a very high regard for John and yourself.I so enjoyed his great stories. He was and is a good soul ! I think of you both with affection. Peace be with you.
Heather