Obituary of John Kennedy
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of John Vernon Kennedy on November 21, 2023, at the age of 79 at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.
John was born in New Glasgow, December 23, 1943, to Daniel and Irene Kennedy.
He graduated from Westville High School where he was active in many sports including rugby, hockey and baseball. His rugby team has been inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame. He enjoyed being a hockey referee and also umpiring/coaching baseball. He continued to love sports throughout his life and was an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs, “ Go Leafs Go”. In his younger years Johnny was very active in the Holy Name Roman Catholic Church.
Johnny spent his teenage years as member of the NS Highlanders Reserve Force where he was a member of the band as a Bag Piper. He then followed this by joining the Canadian Military in the Black Watch where he was posted to CFB Gagetown and spent a tour in Cyprus on peacekeeping duties.
Following his military service Johnny returned to Pictou County where he married Faye Sarty and had three children. He worked for many years as a commissionaire at Scott Pulp and Paper and at the Aberdeen Hospital. Johnny was known throughout Pictou County as “Johnnie Walker” as he could be seen on many days walking with his white cane for miles and miles and miles.
Johnny is survived by his wife Faye (Sarty) Kennedy, Westville; his daughter Rhonda,Westville; his son Daniel, Ottawa; brothers Jim, St George BC, Bill (Colleen), Burton, NB; sisters Colleen Zdan, Duncan, BC, Cathy (John) White, Sussex,NB and Mary Fraser, Pleasant Valley; brothers-in-law Charles Fraser, Berwick, NS and David Cormier, Westville; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Johnny was predeceased by his daughter Lisa; sisters Martha Fraser and Ann Cormier; brothers-in-law David Zdan and Elwood Fraser.
The family would also like to send thanks to all the doctors and nurses at the Aberdeen Hospital for his extended care. Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetic Association, the CNIB or charity of the donors choice.
Visitation will be at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville, on Saturday, November 25, from 10:00 am to 12:30 p.m. followed by his funeral service at 12:30 officiated by Father Peter MacDonald in Eagles Funeral Chapel. Interment immediately after at Holy Name Cemetery Westville. Reception at Westville Legion downstairs at 2:00 pm. The funeral will be streamed and may be watched by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/LvhKgksEC1I?si=MMXC3rHAjAZ3tcyk