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