Paul D. Kennedy

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - The Rev. Dr. Paul D. Kennedy, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died on August 24, 2022, in the care of the wonderful staff at the Lutheran Home in Worcester. He was 87. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Carol Hoffman Kennedy of Worcester; and his three children, Mark Kennedy (Richelle Kennedy) of Needham, Laurie Kennedy Yvanauskas (Joe Yvanauskas) of Worcester and Joseph Kennedy of Boston; grandchildren, Andrew and Alison Kennedy, Casey Yvanauskas and Veronika Melnik; a sister, Patricia Wilson of Columbiana, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his parents, three sisters and two brothers.

Born February 17, 1935, in North Lima, Ohio, Paul was the oldest of Austin and Marguerite Kennedy’s seven children. Paul received his education from Wittenberg University, Youngstown State University and Harvard Divinity School. Following his graduation from Harvard, Paul began a career devoted to caring for others, through his ministry, serving at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gloucester, and two stints as minister at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester. In between his two calls at Trinity, Paul served as the Assistant to the Bishop of the New England Synod of the Lutheran Church of America in Dedham and as the Director of Planning and Fiscal Management for the Lutheran Church of America in New York City. Following his return to Trinity in 1982, Paul retired in 1994.

Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1985, Paul refused to allow his disability to identify him or to interfere with his mission to help others. He was very involved in the community, exhibiting a fervent compassion for others and championing worthy causes. He served on numerous boards including AdCare Hospital, AIDS Project Worcester, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Age Center of Greater Worcester, past president of the Bohemians, Children’s Friend, Endicott College, Fallon Community Health Plan, Lutheran Home of Worcester, Lutheran Social Services of New England, Mohegan Council, Boy Scouts of America, National Multiple Sclerosis Board, Worcester Academy, Worcester Area Council of Churches, Worcester Economic Club and the Worcester Rotary Club.

In recognition of his service, Paul was honored with a number of distinctions including honorary degrees from Upsala College, Assumption College and Endicott College, where in addition to his degree, a dormitory was named in his honor. Paul also received, among others, the Irving Yarock Award from the Age Center of Worcester, the Citizen of the Year Award from the Worcester Rotary Club, The Pope John XXIII Medal from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, the Rabbi Martin Katzenstein Award from Harvard Divinity School, and the Worcester Telegram’s Isaiah Thomas Citizen of the Year Award, which was presented to Paul by Senator Edward Kennedy. Paul was also given The Key to the City of Worcester on three occasions.

While he devoted time to many worthy causes, Paul would state that his highest commitment was to his family. He took every opportunity to attend various events involving his wife, children and grandchildren; he was a constant source of love and support and enthusiastic encouragement to them – whenever and wherever they needed him. Family vacations were always a welcome experience where Paul served as the catalyst for lively conversations around the dinner table, often with a plate of lobster in front of each family member. Throughout, Paul was generous to a fault and always willing to contribute, to listen, to advise, and to care.

Family and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 29, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street, Worcester, 01609. Private family interment will be held later in the day at All Faith’s Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, 26 Harvard St., Worcester, MA 01609.

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