James Donald Kennedy
1934-2017
James Donald Kennedy, age 83 years old, passed away suddenly while on vacation with his wife. Jim is survived and dearly missed by his loving wife, Diane. He was an amazing father and grandfather to 6 children and 15 grandchildren: Kathleen Garcia (Henry), grandsons Jake, Douglas and Patrick; Patricia Knuth (Peter), grandchildren Eleanor and David; John Knopp (Brenda), grandsons John and Jared; MaryAnn Younger (Dean), grandchildren Rylan and Mitchell; Matthew Kennedy (Dorothea), grandchildren Liam, Brady and Conley; Timothy Kennedy (Megan), grandchildren Abigail, Nora Jane, and Luke. Loving brother to Joan Seymour (Bob). Brother-in-Law to Michael Dunlap (Robin) and uncle to Sarah Mack (Chris) and Christopher Dunlap (Laura).
Born in San Francisco, California, on May 8th 1934, son of Albert William Kennedy and Frances Ellen Harrington. He was ordained in 1960 and served as a Catholic priest for 10 years. During that time he worked tirelessly to support the civil rights movement, traveling to Selma to march with Martin Luther King in 1965. After leaving the priesthood he married the love of his life Diane in 1973. Jim and Diane were happily married for 44 years.
Jim worked in the San Francisco non-profit community for 34 years, starting at Arriba Juntos from 1971-1991. He then worked at the Jewish Vocational Service from 1991-1996 and the Private Industry Counsel from 1996-2004. After retirement, he served on the Board of Directors for both the Mission Hiring Hall/SOMEC and Arriba Juntos until 2012.
Jim was an avid Bay Area sports fan, never missing a game. He loved to read and spend time with his family, and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports.
Jim spent the entirety of his adult life working to help others and will be truly missed by so many.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life at St Paul’s Church with a Vigil on Thursday, October 26th at 7 pm and a Funeral Mass on Friday, October 27th at 11 am. St Paul’s Church is located at 29th and Church St in San Francisco.