William A. Kennedy, Jr.

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - William A. Kennedy, Jr., 85, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston after an illness. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, Bill was the son of William A. and Helen (née Clark) Kennedy. He and his wife Monica (née Jasmin) were married in 1966 and lived in Holden for 35 years.

In addition to his wife of 57 years, Bill leaves his children: Patricia Ward (Michael) of Clinton, William Kennedy, III (Sofia) of New York City, Kelley Daly (Andrew) of Holden, Nicholas Kennedy (Celeste) of Boston; a brother, Ronald Kennedy (Marilyn) of Garfield, AR; and six grandchildren Amanda, Patrick, Matthew, Anna, Natalie and Lucia.

After graduating from Eastern Military Academy in Long Island, NY in 1956, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, served aboard the USS Fulton, and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1961. He enrolled at the University of Vermont and received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1965. After graduation, Bill entered the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI where he attained the rank of Ensign. He then served three tours of duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Paul Revere, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant before leaving active duty and continuing his service as an active Naval Reservist. In 1968, Bill enrolled at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as a Fels Scholar, graduating with a Master of Government Administration degree in 1970. Bill became Town Manager for the town of Holden in 1970, a position he held until 1985.

After serving Holden, Bill accepted the position of Deputy Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association in Boston. With an ardent desire for hands-on work in municipal administration, Bill served as the Town Manager of the town of Stoneham, Executive Secretary of the town of Auburn, and as the Chief Financial Officer for the city of Worcester. Upon his retirement from municipal management, Bill accepted a position as a regional environmental officer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a position he held for more than ten years. Additionally, after serving over 30 years in the U.S. Navy, Bill was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1996.

Over the course of his professional career, Bill also worked as an Adjunct Professor at area colleges and universities, including Clark University, Anna Maria College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Bill was actively involved in numerous civic and professional organizations over the years, including Rotary International, Worcester Economic Club, International City Management Association, and American Society for Public Administration. He was an active member of St. John's Church in Worcester.

In 2006, Bill and Monica retired to Prince Edward Island in Canada where they spent more than ten years enjoying the island's beauty and charm, and making new, close friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill's family from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 17, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street in Holden, followed by a procession to St. John's Church, 44 Temple Street in Worcester where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon. Inurnment will take place privately at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John's Food for the Poor Program, 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604, (508) 756-7165, www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org . To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit his "Tribute Wall" on this page.