Robert Kennedy's Obituary
LEWES - Robert J. Kennedy died Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Beebe Hospital, Lewes, Delaware. He was 91 years old. Mr. Kennedy was born in New Durham, New Jersey on September 21, 1916, son of the late Robert J. and Janet M. Kennedy He graduated from Leonardo High School, Middletown, NJ, attended Princeton University, and went on to complete a series of specialized business courses at Goldey Beacom College.
Mr. Kennedy was a loving husband and father who enjoyed above all time spent in the company of his family.
Mr. Kennedy was employed for 64 years in various capacities with the J. Howard Smith Company in Port Monmouth, NJ; Beauford, NC; and its affiliates Fish
Products Company and Seacoast Products Company in Lewes, DE.
During his tenure with Fish Products Company Mr. Kennedy traveled throughout Chile and Peru to establish new fishing operations and later to Louisiana to oversee the construction of the Seacoast Products Plant at Intercoastal City, LA..When Fish Products Company and Seacoast Products Company were sold in 1974, Mr. Kennedy, then the Comptroller and General Manager, continued to work for the Smith family by becoming the business manager for Mr. Otis H. Smith's real estate and farming interests in Delaware and Alabama.
Mr. Kennedy was appointed by Governor Charles Terry and confirmed by the Delaware Senate to serve as the Sussex County Commissioner on the Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission from 3/10/1966 to 5/9/1973.
He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and served on its Finance Committee for many years. He also was an active member of the City of Lewes Planning Commission serving from February 1971 to June 1999. Mr. Kennedy was a member of Franklin Lodge # 109, Beaufort, NC; New Bern York Rite, Chapter 46 in New Bern, NC; New Bern Consistory Scottish Rite; and Sudan Temple Shrine, New Bern, NC.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Virginia S. Kennedy, in October 2006.
He is survived by his son, Robert J. Kennedy, III and his wife, Jan, of Lewes; a daughter, Janet E. Kennedy of Milford; a granddaughter; Shelby K. DePrisco, and her husband, James, of Bartlesville, OK; grandsons Robert J. Kennedy, IV, and his wife, Jennifer, of Alexandria, VA; James M. Kennedy of Wilmington, DE; Harvey R. Johnson, Ph.D of NYC, NY; and a granddaughter, Sarah E. Johnson, of Milford, DE; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 3, 2007, at 2 P. M. at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium,Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may call 1 hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West 4th St., Lewes, DE or Beebe Medical Center Foundation, 902 Savannah Rd. Lewes, DE 19958.
On-line condolences may be sent to: [email protected]
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