Richard (Dick) Kennedy passed peacefully, under the care and respect of his exceptional team at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.

Richard was the last survivor of 7 brothers (Gordon, Arthur, Doug, Ted, Richard, Harold and Donald) and 3 sisters (Bessie, Dorothy and Muriel). The large family grew up on a farm in Dixie (now Mississauga), Ontario, reared by a single mother after their father passed away in 1931. To pay the bills, Evelyn Kennedy wrote and produced a CBC Radio show, The Kennedy Kids, celebrating life in the 1930s. Tragically, two of Richard’s sisters were killed by lightning, Dorothy at age 15 and Muriel at 40. Bessie died as an infant of a blood disorder.

During the war, Richard served with the RCAF in a communications role in Gander, NL and was sent to England after VE Day to relieve soldiers who needed to come home.

He married Joan Schofield in 1949 at Trinity Church in Port Credit. In 1960 the couple moved to Peterborough, ON where they raised their 3 children, Tim, Peter and Ann. Richard worked as Distribution Manager at the Quaker Oats Company until he retired in 1987. He was also very active in the Rotary Club, serving as club President and Secretary, and was named an honourary member after over 40 years of service. In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, refinishing furniture, gardening, travelling with Joan and spending time with his grandchildren Andrew, Steven, Jeff and Michael (Peter and Carol) and Elizabeth (Tim and Julia). At the time of his passing, Richard had 6 great-grandchildren: Hannah and Lucas (Andrew and Julia), Shane and Adaline (Steve and Andra) and Harrison and Ava (Elizabeth and Thomas). He is also survived by grandchildren Jeff (Maddy) and Mike. Richard is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Joan and a son, Billy, who died at the age of 6 months.

Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Richard’s name to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre would be appreciated.