(Past President of the Kingsway Group of Companies, Past President of the Ontario Trucking Association and Canadian Trucking Association, Past President of the Motor Transport Industrial Relations Bureau)
Peacefully, with his family by his side and after a courageous battle with cancer, on Thursday, August 26, 2010, John F. Kennedy, in his 83rd year, beloved husband of the late Gertie Kennedy. Loving father of Kathleen and her husband David Robertson, Daniel and his wife Deborah Kennedy, Patrick and his wife Paula Kennedy and predeceased by Eileen Kennedy. Cherished grandfather to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survived by his second wife Marlene.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) Friday afternoon 2- 4 and evening 7-9 o’clock.
Funeral Mass will be held in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 60 Allan Drive, Bolton on Saturday morning, August 28 at 10 o’clock.
Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bolton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Caledon Bethell House, 18 King Street East, Upper Level, Bolton L7E 1E8.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Trish Griffith
To the Robertson / Kennedy Family,
You are in our prayers and our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
May God Bless you all!!!
– Trish Griffith
Marlene Taylor
My heart goes out to you, Kathy and your family during this sad time.
Marlene Taylor
Laura Sterne / Avery Kennedy Robertson
Avery says “I love you Grandpa Kennedy”.
” I love you Grandma”
Kathy you are a couragous, and loving daughter. You set a great example to Avery for dedication, love and compassion. Our thoughts are with you.
John was a dignified, generous and loving man. I am so greatful to have gotten to know him this past 5 years and so appreciative that Avery knew her Great Grandfather whom in all his dignity could be very silly and fun loving with her.
Kelly Ann Trepanier
You shaped my life in ways you don’t know Uncle John…
Your friendship was a great treasure to me.
Thank-you for loving me.
I miss you but will see you again one day.
Your Little Friend Always xo
Heather M. Kennedy
My Dearest Kathleen, Danny , Patrick and all of your families:
Words can never express how one feels with the loss of a loved one especially a parent. We all think they will be around forever but you know first hand that life can be short from losing your mom at such a young age. I was so glad to hear you had all spent so much quality time with your dad before his passing. Especially all the stories of his ATV adventures, stubborness (which us Kennedy’s all have) and even the good old left over ham, cabbage and potato dinner you shared for your dad’s last supper.
My love is with all of you and on behalf of the Yukon Kennedy’s we send our deepest sympathies, thoughts and especially our love.
Forever your cousin,
Heather
Maureen Stefanizzi(Kennedy)
To Kathleen, Danny, Patrick, and Family:
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time of sorrow. It is fortunate that you all had a wonderful summer together with family members and be able to attend a family wedding.These moments will always be treasured and not forgotten.
My deepest condolences go out to you.
I will see you Saturday at the funeral. Maureen
Dawn Marie Tytherly
If I could talk with my Uncle, Your Father and Mentor this is what I would tell him:
My Dearest Uncle John
I only got to meet you once
A time when you blessed me with strong advise
I am sad our time was short but pray for your blessed rest
I am glad your pain is over as in God we trust
With all my love your niece Dawn Marie T.
Psalm 23
Standing strong with the Kennedys!
Scott, Tracy, Sarah and Benjamin Smyth
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
David and Celene Prince
We are thinking of you Dan, Pat, Kathy and family. I am sorry we could not be there. It was so nice to get to know your Dad over the years, over a coffee during the pop-ins at work.
Our deepest sympathies during this difficult time.
Dave, Celene and Family.
Wayne Bowers
Dan, Patrick, Kathleen and Marlene,
I am so sorry to learn of Uncle John’s death and that I cannot be there today. My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with you.
I have such fond memories of your visits on the farm when we were all much younger, the tricks we played on you all and the sharp, provocative, sometimes cutting, but always charming sense of humor of your dad. His serious face invariably fooled me into thinking I was in trouble again. But the serious face was also invariably followed by that magnificent smile that was so charming and disarming. That was truly a gift to all that knew Uncle John.
My deepest sympathies,
Wayne
Trevor Brennan and Christine Mackechnie
Our deepest sympathies and thinking of all of you.
Kenneth King
Kathleen, Daniel, & Patrick and your families
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember my Uncle John, the kind, warm, and friendly uncle that he always was. I will always remember our cottage holidays together which were now something of a distant memory but happy times nonetheless. I was lucky to see him (and you all) last year and whilst we had all aged he was still the same Uncle John.
Please take comfort that he is at peace and in a better place where we will all see him again one day.
love and deepest sympathies to you all.
your cousin Ken
Murray Tait
John deserved my admiration for his warmth & courage in our relatively short & somewhat close business relationship which became more than that as he faced & shared with me his acceptance of the inevitable.His last words with me was his offer of a prayer for my Barbara & my assurance of prayers for him.He was a joy to be with –I will miss him Daniel & Deborah.
David Bradley
To the Kennedy Family,
On behalf of the Ontario Trucking Association and the Canadian Trucking Alliance, I extend the industry’s deepest sympathy for the loss of your father and loved one. John was and remains one of the most respected people that the trucking industry in Canada has ever produced. He leaves a remarkable legacy. On a personal note, I owe much to John. About 25 years ago he took a young guy who apparently showed some promise and helped to guide and mold him into someone he felt worthy of taking the reigns at OTA despite his relatively tender years. It was by his example more than anything else — his quiet dignity, his leadership and his empathy — that I benefited. Thank you John; you will be missed.
Patricia @ Ian King
Dearest Kathleen Danny Patrick and family.
Thank you so much for looking after my Big brother John the (Godfather) I was so lucky to spend time with him before he left you.(even though I could not get his 4 minute egg right) We had a wonderful time at his cottage just two weeks ago.
Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Love always Aunt Pat Uncle Ian and all the family in the U.K.
Dawn Marie Kennedy
Dear Kathleen, Danny, Patrick and families,
I hope you all know how special your Dad was to me. I was so fortunate and blessed to have him in my life and will forever cherish the visits and phone calls. He was such a strong and determined man who taught me so much, yet such a kind and loving Uncle whom I will remember and miss forever. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Always, Dawn Marie & Ralph
Anne Dempsey
To Kathleen, Danny, Patrick & Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss….I was so lucky to have shared time thime with your family, especially in our younger days. I’ll always hold the memories of the elusive rabbit in the livingroom picture, John driving us to school at St. Phillips, and snowmobiling at the old cottage. Your dad was a great father and family man. I will always remember John. My deep sorrow and sympathies to all of you.
Love anne.
George and Britta Orphanos
Dear Dan and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your Father. Although it’s been many years since we last saw you, Dan, we think of you often and hope that your fondest memories will sustain you at this time. Our deepest sympathies to the whole family.
Britta and George
Gary Brooks
To the Kennedy Family
Our family is saddened at John’s passing and extend our deepest sympathies. My father, Lloyd Brooks, served as John’s assistant, for many years at Kingsway Transport; and appreciated John’s leadership skills and friendship. John was always gracious and kind to me whenever I would stop by the office.
Gary Brooks
Brian King
To Kathleen, Danny, Patrick and families
We are very sorry to hear of your loss, your dad, our Uncle John was a good man. A gentleman. We will always remember him for the fantastic times we used to have on holidays at various cottages over 30 years ago(!) Uncle John was always so selfless, kind and generous. He had great patience (and he needed patience) when teaching us how to water-ski, surf and fish! He was always willing to help and nothing was ever too much trouble.
I know he has always been the head of the family and been a wonderful, caring ‘older’ brother to my mum, always willing to go out of his way to help. I know she loved him deeply and will miss him dearly.
I am sure everybody who knew him must think of him with similar fond memories, which must make you all very proud. I hope you and your families can move on from this, he was always very proud of you all and would want that.
Love and our deepest sympathies
Your cousins Brian and David and families
Dianne Bouse
To the Kennedy Family:
My sincere condolences to all of you. Your Dad was the most remarkable man I have ever known.
Fond memories spent with all of you, I hold close to my heart.
Sincerely,
Love Dianne