Brian M. Kennedy, Sr., aged 67, died Saturday 9/29/2018 at his home surrounded by his loving son joe and his sister and brother. Brian fought fiercely and bravely but, in the end, he lost his battle with throat and head cancer. Through all his struggles, Brian never lost his faith in God.
Brian was born in West Springfield, son of the late Joseph E. Kennedy (1970) and Mary P. O’Brien Kennedy who just died on June 10, 2018. Brian graduated from St. Thomas School and St. Mary’s High School where he was awarded a varsity letter in Baseball. He was the 3rd baseman and was said to throw the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
Brian attended Holyoke Community College and North Adams State College. He graduated from Westfield State University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Brian married his first love, Connie M. Hale, in 1976.
He and Connie would have celebrated their 42nd anniversary. Connie passed sadly on June 12th. Brian and Connie raised two sons Brian Jr. and Joseph.
Brian began his business career at Combustion Engineering, later ABB, where he was General Manager of Pulveriser Systems. Later he worked at Babcock Borsig Power where he was the General Manager of Marketing and Products Development. In his many years working in Power Systems, he traveled extensively throughout South Africa, India, England, as well as traveling all over this country.
He really enjoyed his travels and meeting the numerous people in his journeys. For over 20 years Brian took his family to visit Gram Kennedy in Montserrat during school vacations. This annual visit to the West Indies was a great family memory maker and something the family looked forward to every year.
Brian was a great golfer and played in a league with his colleagues from ABB. His goal was to get better and join his colleagues at Simsbury Country Club every Thursday. As sick as Brian was these last 7 months and no matter how much pain he suffered, he never lost his faith in God nor his sense of humor – even at the very end.
Brian was predeceased by his parents, his wife Connie, his sister Patty and his brother Jim. He also lost his son, Brian Jr. in December of 2017. Brian leaves his son Joe, his brother Joe (Barbara) of Darien, CT, sisters Mary Lou Dragon of Holly Springs, NC, Dr. Gail A. Kennedy of Cape Coral, FL and his brother Stephen (Judy) of Cape Cod, MA.
He also leaves his Aunt and Godmother, Barbara (John) Donovan of West Springfield, MA and his Aunt Elizabeth O’Brien of Wilmington, MA. Brian also leaves his cousins who recently gathered for the O’Brien Family Reunion on September 2nd. Brian was able to attend and reunite for a happy celebration.
Family meant a great deal to Brian. Brian also leaves his two great friends, Tom Shugrue of West Springfield, MA, who was his best friend as well as a great caregiver for Brian and Bryan Smith of Wallingford, CT. Calling hours for Brian will be on Tuesday, from 9am – 11am at TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Springfield at 11:30am.
Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Brian’s memory to Sisters of St. Joseph’s, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
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