It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John A Kennedy. After a short illness, bravely borne, John passed away this morning surrounded by his loving family; his wife Ena and his daughters Caroline, Jennifer and Georgina.
John was a prominent and popular member of his community in Terenure. Having grown up in Spawell House in Templeogue John built an enormously successful business in Spawell with his brothers Paul and Peter. John went to school in Terenure College where he was a popular student with both his friends and teachers. He loved rugby and played cup rugby on the school teams in Terenure College, (JCT – 1957, SCT – 1959).
John was a member of a Terenure College side which must have created some sort of record, playing eight cup matches, including four draws, before losing in the final to Blackrock College, after a draw. Two of John’s team mates that year were Gerry Martin and Brendan Sherry, who were just beginning their stellar careers. John did not play on club sides but became one of our most committed supporters. While golf was his passion, his support for and delight in our club’s success was his primary interest. In 1995, he headed off to the World Cup in South Africa, mixing golf with rugby. His fellow travellers were Mick McKenna, Mick Thunder, Bosco Morrissey, Rickie Muldowney and Ted Reade, club notables and the sort of people you would need to make sure you didn’t get into trouble! The following season, along with brothers Paul and Peter, Spawell Golf complex became our principal club sponsors, in the presidency of Mick McKenna. When Peter Bruce’s team won the Leinster Senior Cup, the Senior League and won promotion to the first division of the AIL, Spawell celebrated our success by hosting an evening for the team panel, committee members and basically anyone who wore the purple, black and white. It was a wonderful evening at which the Kennedys were the perfect hosts. The following year, they continued their sponsorship, under the presidency of Mick Thunder. That team, in their first year in the AIL finished in third position. John was ever present at all those matches, hosting tables for the pre match lunches and enjoying the social aftermath.He was always a great supporter of the club and backed all events and fundraisers, whether it was a social evening, club auction or whatever. John had a great sense of enjoyment and it was seldom one would see him without a broad smile on his face.
John remained a generous and loyal supporter of both the school and the club throughout his life.
John loved all sport but he was particularly fond of golf having been a fine single figure golfer in his youth. John was a past Captain of Slade Valley and was also a proud member of Hermitage, but it was at Castle Golf Club where he played most of his golf in recent years. Indeed, John played his last round of golf as recently as August in Castle in the company of two of his loving grandsons.
John will be greatly missed by his very large extended family and very many friends.