Joseph was a devoted father and businessman and a beloved uncle and grandfather. After graduating from Rider University with his degree in marketing, he began his career as a coach for St. Thomas Aquinas High School (currently Bishop Ahr High School), Edison, NJ. He worked at Yankee Stadium, NY as a vendor which was a highlight in Joe’s working years. He moved on to own/operate his own business in financial services through New York Life, Saddlebrook, NJ for the past 39 years. Joe did not lose his passion for coaching, he continued to coach youth baseball and basketball locally. As a Committeeman in Independence Township he was instrumental in obtaining Green Acres funding for the Field of Dreams also in Independence Township. Joe has a larger than life personality whose generosity will always be remembered and appreciated by all whom he touched. Joe was a man who loved his family, his fishing club, collecting model trains and the land on which he lived. An avid Penn State football and NJ Devils hockey fan, he shared his love and tickets for both teams often. He had a genuine concern for those he met, be they family, clients, or people working on his property. He always made people feel appreciated, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
He is survived by his wife: Patricia (Kaminski) Kennedy, 3 sons; Joseph, III and his wife Kimberly, Matthew and Andrew Kennedy, 3 grandchildren; Cameryn, Joseph and Devin Kennedy and 11 nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, 360 US Hwy 46, Great Meadows, NJ. Burial will be in Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, NJ following services.
Visitation will be Friday, September 5, 2014 from 4:00 - 8:00PM at Cochran Funeral Home, Inc., 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ.
For those desiring donations may be made to the Independence Township Field of Dreams, P.O. Box 164, Great Meadows, NJ, 07838 in memory of Joseph Kennedy.