Obituary for Joseph Walter John Kennedy
Joseph Walter Kennedy, CWO(ret’d), CD
December 2, 1939 – January 17, 2022
The family of Joseph Walter Kennedy, CWO(ret’d), CD(Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp), are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of their loving Father on Monday, January 17, 2022 at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Center, Grand Falls Windsor. He was 82.
Joe is predeceased by his wife Judith Elizabeth Kennedy(Snow) and Parents, Genevieve(Jen) and John Kennedy, formerly of Harbour Main, NL.
Joe was born in Windsor, December 2, 1939 where he spent all of his life in the same neighbourhood. Joe worked with the CN Railway, later Terra Transport, at various positions until his retirement. He began work there right after his graduation from St. Michael’s High School, in Grand Falls.
While neither of Joe’s parents were musical, it was definitely in his blood. At the age of 8, his parents gave him his first piano. From that point on, he went on to learn to play such instruments as the button and piano accordions, organ, guitars, fiddle and mandolin. Joe could be found to be the center of attention at most gatherings either at a piano or playing some other instrument. He, along with Ed Power and friends would visit senior’s homes and attend special events playing and singing various types of music.
Joe enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers(RCE) July, 1957 and remustered to Royal Newfoundland Regiment(RNFLDR) in 1959. At the Rank of Chief Warrant Officer(CWO), retired as Regimental Sergeant Major(RSM), 2nd Battalion, RNFLDR in 1983 after 23 years of service.
Joe was also a very proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion(RCL), Branch 12, in Grand Falls Windsor, joining in 1966. A Life Member of the RCL, he was very active within the Legion holding positions on the Executive Committee, Branch President, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms. In addition to Branch 12, he also served as District Commander and Provincial Council Chair for a number of years. He was very proud and quick to tell anyone about the Regiment or the Legion.
Joe was also a 35 year member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows(IOOF) in Grand Falls Windsor. While with the IOOF, Joe held the positions of Past Grand, Deputy District Grand Master, Member of the Patriarch Militant Degree, and Past District Deputy Grand Patriarch.
During Joe’s downtime, he could be found in what he called his little slice of heaven at his cabin at West Pond, South Brook for over 50 years. Joe could always be found tinkering at something when there. Need help with something, he was usually the first person people would ask.
Joe leaves to mourn his sons John(Jeannette) and Jim and loving daughter Jane(Peter) as well as his beautiful grandsons, Mack and Liam, whom he cherished more than anything in this world. We would be remise if we did not mention his Fur-Grandbabies, Bella, Astrid, Harley and Logan. Joe was an animal lover. He also leaves to mourn his Uncle Joe(Kit) Wall and family in Harbour Main as well as his 2 Bother-in-Laws Reginald(Elfreida) Snow and Alec(Anita) Snow and families as well as his extended families abroad. There is such a large circle of friends that he leaves to mourn, that we can only name a few. Ed(Nellie) Power, Peter(Lois) Bartle, Jordan(Helen) Penney, his West Pond family, as well as his RCL and IOOF families.
Our family would like to thank Jenny and the staff of the dialysis unit, the ER doctors, nurses and staff as well as the ICU nurses and staff for their loving care of our father. We cannot thank you enough.
The Staff of The Fountains/Hollett’s Retirement Home. We will be forever grateful for everything you did for Dad after he joined your Community. You helped with his transition and made him feel like part of the family and took great care in his needs. We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once Covid Restrictions allow family and friends to return home. Family has requested any donations be made to the Legion Poppy Fund.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
December 2, 1939 – January 17, 2022
The family of Joseph Walter Kennedy, CWO(ret’d), CD(Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp), are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of their loving Father on Monday, January 17, 2022 at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Center, Grand Falls Windsor. He was 82.
Joe is predeceased by his wife Judith Elizabeth Kennedy(Snow) and Parents, Genevieve(Jen) and John Kennedy, formerly of Harbour Main, NL.
Joe was born in Windsor, December 2, 1939 where he spent all of his life in the same neighbourhood. Joe worked with the CN Railway, later Terra Transport, at various positions until his retirement. He began work there right after his graduation from St. Michael’s High School, in Grand Falls.
While neither of Joe’s parents were musical, it was definitely in his blood. At the age of 8, his parents gave him his first piano. From that point on, he went on to learn to play such instruments as the button and piano accordions, organ, guitars, fiddle and mandolin. Joe could be found to be the center of attention at most gatherings either at a piano or playing some other instrument. He, along with Ed Power and friends would visit senior’s homes and attend special events playing and singing various types of music.
Joe enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers(RCE) July, 1957 and remustered to Royal Newfoundland Regiment(RNFLDR) in 1959. At the Rank of Chief Warrant Officer(CWO), retired as Regimental Sergeant Major(RSM), 2nd Battalion, RNFLDR in 1983 after 23 years of service.
Joe was also a very proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion(RCL), Branch 12, in Grand Falls Windsor, joining in 1966. A Life Member of the RCL, he was very active within the Legion holding positions on the Executive Committee, Branch President, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms. In addition to Branch 12, he also served as District Commander and Provincial Council Chair for a number of years. He was very proud and quick to tell anyone about the Regiment or the Legion.
Joe was also a 35 year member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows(IOOF) in Grand Falls Windsor. While with the IOOF, Joe held the positions of Past Grand, Deputy District Grand Master, Member of the Patriarch Militant Degree, and Past District Deputy Grand Patriarch.
During Joe’s downtime, he could be found in what he called his little slice of heaven at his cabin at West Pond, South Brook for over 50 years. Joe could always be found tinkering at something when there. Need help with something, he was usually the first person people would ask.
Joe leaves to mourn his sons John(Jeannette) and Jim and loving daughter Jane(Peter) as well as his beautiful grandsons, Mack and Liam, whom he cherished more than anything in this world. We would be remise if we did not mention his Fur-Grandbabies, Bella, Astrid, Harley and Logan. Joe was an animal lover. He also leaves to mourn his Uncle Joe(Kit) Wall and family in Harbour Main as well as his 2 Bother-in-Laws Reginald(Elfreida) Snow and Alec(Anita) Snow and families as well as his extended families abroad. There is such a large circle of friends that he leaves to mourn, that we can only name a few. Ed(Nellie) Power, Peter(Lois) Bartle, Jordan(Helen) Penney, his West Pond family, as well as his RCL and IOOF families.
Our family would like to thank Jenny and the staff of the dialysis unit, the ER doctors, nurses and staff as well as the ICU nurses and staff for their loving care of our father. We cannot thank you enough.
The Staff of The Fountains/Hollett’s Retirement Home. We will be forever grateful for everything you did for Dad after he joined your Community. You helped with his transition and made him feel like part of the family and took great care in his needs. We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once Covid Restrictions allow family and friends to return home. Family has requested any donations be made to the Legion Poppy Fund.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”