Gerard F. Kennedy

Gerard F. Kennedy, 85, of Kent, died March 19, 2013 peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter by his side.

Born in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York City in March of 1928, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna Kennedy. He leaves behind Bernadette, his wife of 43 years; Ann M. Kennedy, his daughter, of Arlington, VA; his son, James F. Kennedy with his wife Christine along with his grandsons Joshua, Joseph, and Alexander, of Methuen, MA. He is survived by his brother Peter Kennedy with his wife Pat of Laurel, MD along with 7 nephews and nieces and 11 grand nephews and nieces including those of his brother, the late Joseph Kennedy and his wife, Kathleen.

He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1954 in Maryknoll, NY. In service of the Maryknoll Society's Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (The Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America), Gerard spent three years in the promotion department where he logged over 250,000 miles driving between Boston, New York City, and Sioux City, Nebraska visiting schools and churches in cities and towns along the way to recruit students and raise money for MaryKnoll's missionary work. In 1958, he was sent to Korea where he studied Korean in Seoul and went on to do missionary work in Chechon in North Chungchong province, and Umsong. Five years later he established a new parish in Chechon where he supervised the building of a church. He was then chosen by his colleagues as their representative to the general chapter of Maryknoll.

Upon his return from Korea, Gerard was assigned to study at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu where he earned a PhD in Anthropology. After his resignation from Maryknoll, he received permission from the Vatican for laicization and later he married longtime friend, Bernadette Kim.

Known to friends and family as Gerry, he was a Professor Emeritus of Kent State University and lived in Kent over 35 years with Bernadette. During that time they raised their kids to be democratic, strong and independent and he shared his love of golf, chess, good food, and music with his children. After his retirement, Gerry volunteered at Akron General Medical Center, made friends during his regular exercise regimen at the Life Center Plus in Hudson, travelled with his wife, and entertained his grandsons both physically and virtually as much as possible.

The family would like to thank the Akron General Visiting Nurses Services Hospice staff and especially the nurses Kathy, Ruth, Dianna, Shelly, Nancy and nurses aide Karen for helping ensure Gerard's comfort in his final days and his family through this very difficult time.

Calling hours will be held 6-8 PM Friday, March 22 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, March 23 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Edward Kordas officiating. Donations can be made to the following Charity in Gerard Kennedy's name in lieu of flowers: Catholic Charities - Hunger & Shelter Assistance, 1404 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Burial will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery.