| Completed Career |
 Walter J. Kennedy December 4, 1927 to June 3, 2008 |
| The following appeared in the 10 June 2008 edition of the San Diego Union Tribune |
| Loving husband, father and grandfather passed away after a lengthy illness on June 3, 2008. Walter was born in Buskirk, New Yor, the youngest of three brothers to John A. Kennedy Sr. and Mary Jane Donahue. Orphaned at the age of three, he was separated from his brothers and eventually raised by his maternal aunt and uncle, Oliver Nino of Los Gatos, CA. He graduated from Bellarmine H.S. in 1946 an at the age of 17 enlisted in the U.S. navy, where he proudly served for the next 24 years. Walt had finally found the ‘family’ he had always wanted and the place where he felt he truly belonged. His naval career was spent as a Trademan working at various Naval Air Stations, teaching instrument flying on flight simulation equipment. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his friends in the Navy and looked forward to going to work every day. While stationed in Washington D.C. he met his future wife, Lois Keck, and they were married in 1954. Walter was an avid gun enthusiast, and spent time traveling with the USN pistol team during his enlistment. Walter retired from the Navy in 1970 as a Senior Chief and spent the next 27 years working for Tandy Corp. ten years as the manager of the Point Loma Radio Shack. Walter was preceded in death by brothers John A. and Thomas J Kennedy. Survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois; son W Michael (wife Sher, grandchildren Sandra and Mak), and son Mark (wife Dianna, grandchildren Sean, Kaitlyn, Brandon and Bryan) and his beloved youngest child, daughter Karen Colleen; nieces Donna and Maryanne, and his nephews Tommy, Michael and Tim. Papa, you will be missed Services for Walter were held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on June 12 th at 1 p.m. |
I had the pleasure of knowing Walt for most of my tenure at Miramar Gun Club/San Diego Shotgun Sports Assn. Walt was a person who saw the positive side of life and lived it by expressing it. Many times in the early years, Walt would seek me out and ask, "how are things going at the Club?" He and his wife were always attendees at our Annual Dinner and again conversations on the positive aspect of the Association were foremost with Walt. He will be missed by this person, in particular. |
I joined Miramar Gun Club in 1980 and Walt was among the first to greet me with 'Welcome to Miramar Gun Club'. Over the years his visits to the range were few and far between, however he always remembered my name and would promptly say 'Hi Augie' as he greeted me. He and his wife Lois were also regular attendees at our Annual dinner and their attendance will be missed. My thanks to Martin Peak who let us know that he had read of Walt's passing and to Walt's wife Lois for sending me the obituary enabling me to post this info on our web site. I learned a lot about Walt from this piece that I wish I knew while he was with us. Interesting that we learn things about folks after they pass that we would like to have known while they were with us. Augie Daddi - SDSSA Past President |
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Of the years I knew Walt we had many pleasant chats. He could talk about most any subject you wished to talk about. I last saw him at the Annual Dinner meeting. Unfortunately he didn't look well but he still managed to attend the meeting.
I will miss him. Martin Peak Association Life Member |
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This page was last updated Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:17 PM