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The family of Joseph Alphonsus Kennedy announces his peaceful passing on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the age of 96 or 96 and 3/4s as Joe would say. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 75 years, Jacqueline (nee Lajoie), children Denise O’Neil, Linda Kennedy, Lorraine Frendt, Vincent Kennedy (Lesley), Helen (John) Ross, grandchildren Jeff Naylor, Natalie Hunt (Craig), Jessica Johnson (Leslie), Jesse Ross, Jennifer MacDougall (Carrigan), Janine Rapaich (Sean), Justin Ippolito (Nichol), Vanessa Adams (George), Danielle Neely-Kennedy (Jeremy), Sean Kennedy, Mike Kennedy (Eryn Smit), Paige Ravi (Zach), and Brittany Duszczyszyn (Nicholas), 24 great grandchildren with another due in January, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is survived by his younger sister Stasia and will be lovingly remembered by the Lajoie family. Predeceased by his infant son Michael, daughter Janine, grandson Trevor, son-in-law Gerry, his siblings Angus, Daniel, Vincent, Lucy and Molly, and parents Andrew and Edna Mae Kennedy.
In his younger years, Joe would go moose hunting in the fall with his hunting friends. For many years, mom and dad would go on holidays with him flying his Cessna plane. Later on in life, mom and dad would spend their winter months down south in their motor home.
He was a lifelong Leafs and Jays fan and enjoyed making friendly wagers with his daughter Denise. Dad was the Vice President and Owner of Sombra Welding along with his 3 brothers-in-law. Later, he founded and was the President of LamSar Mechanical Contractor. Joe sat on the board of directors for the Sarnia Construction Association.He was also a 4th Degree Navigator Knight and a Grand Knight of Counsel with the Knights of Columbus Council 1429 and a Faithful Navigator of Monsieur Joseph A Cook Assembly 0885. He had a strong Catholic faith, attending mass daily when he was able, and a devotion to our Blessed Lady saying the rosary many times a day.
The family would like to thank Dr. MacSweeney and the Palliative Care team at Bluewater Health. Thank you to Blaine for his weekly visits.
Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home – McKenzie Chapel, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 1465 Lecaron Ave, Sarnia, on Tuesday, December 16, at 11:00 a.m. A live stream of Joseph’s service will be made available at the time of service with the following link https://studio.youtube.com/video/UhlGbexzOTU/edit. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please say the rosary for someone in need.
