Obituary of John David Kennedy

To view the livestreamed service, please Click Here

It is with heavy hearts we announce John David Kennedy’s passing on Thursday, February 15, 2024.  

Predeceased by his parents Cecil and Mary Isabelle Kennedy and his beloved wife Jocelyn Gauthier Kennedy on August 18, 2023.

Together with Marion G. Kennedy (nee Todd, deceased February 5, 2005), he raised three children. Being a father to Donald Todd Kennedy (Monique), Leslie-Anne Kennedy, and his late son John David Stewart Kennedy (deceased April 26, 2017) was his greatest joy.

He has four grandchildren: Jason Quast, Danielle Garrison, (Allan) Shawn Kennedy (Katie), and Dana Martin (Jeff), and 11 great-grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews, by long-time friend June Cauthers, and close friends Tony and Catherine Rebelo.

Special gratitude to his niece Alison Hendry for all the exceptional care over several years.

Special gratitude to Jessica Lunshof of Tamcare for her extraordinary medical and organizational skills in managing his team of fabulous caregivers over the past year, and many, many thanks to his dedicated personal care attendants.

David was well loved by those fortunate to have met him. Over the years, his friendliness and affable personality helped create strong and lasting friendships. He had a keen interest in art, drawing, and painting. Along with late wife Jocelyn they travelled the world. They enjoyed their cottage in Bracebridge and their Florida winter home for many years. Earlier in his life, he loved the outdoors, was an athlete, and actor in University Plays.

At the University of Toronto, he studied to be a doctor. After four years of study, he decided it was not his calling; he became a Pharmaceutical representative for Ortho Drugs. It was during this time he met his future wife and mother of his children, who was a cosmetic beautician for Elizabeth Arden at one of the drug stores he called upon.

However, his real passion was in education. With three young children to support, David took a leap of faith in furthering his education to obtain a BA in Education at Queen’s University in Kingston, receiving his diploma in 1963. During this time, in order to support his family, along with his late wife Marion and her mother, they ran and operated the Tomahawk Restaurant and Garage in Orillia, ON, enabling David to pursue his education.

After a long career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and finally often acting as Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance in the Education Department at Queen’s Park, he retired in 1988.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and again on Saturday, February 24 from 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm, with the funeral service to follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 2:30 pm. A livestream and recording of the service will be available here. A reception will immediately follow in the Fireside Reception Room.  A private family interment will be held at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to Feed the Children or the World Wildlife Fund may be arranged through www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.