Peter was a member of the OSU Extension of Medina Master Gardener Volunteers.  He loved sharing about growing fig trees and would always stop by the office for a chat.  He was warm and always loved to share stories and talk about his family. You will be missed my friend.

Pete Kennedy was my favorite assistant soccer coach I've ever had in my 15 years of playing soccer. He always made me feel welcomed amongst my team (which was all boys minus me and about two other girls every year). He was always so nice to me and was always very proud of all of my accomplishments whether it was good grades or my playing on the field. I'll miss you very much Coach Kennedy. My condolences go out to your family.â¤

I had the privilege of getting to know Pete when we were both coaching in Garfield Heights. Iâ€™m eternally grateful for the conversations we had and for how much he did to help me learn about soccer. Pete had such a great sense of humor, too. Above all, Iâ€™ll always remember how Pete interacted with the players, and how clear it was that he cared deeply for them.

My condolences to the Kennedy family.

Thank you so much for being one of the best soccer coaches I've ever had. You pushed me to be the best I could be each and every time I took the field and without that I wouldnt be where I am today. I still continue to play soccer soccer to this day and I think back to all the memories I had playing for you. Thank you for impacting not only my life but countless others as well. I'll miss you Coach Pete.Â 

Condolences to Mary, Mackey, Dan and the Kennedy family- you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. 

I was very fortunate to have known Pete for over 30 years.  I recall the first time we crossed paths and we joked often later in life of the encounter - when I was 9/10 years old at tournament where my brother and Mackey were playing.  I went into the hotel elevator hoping the doors would close quick and then walked in Mr. Kennedy.  He introduced himself and reached out to shake my hand.  Following the hand shake he was critical and followed by asking me to say hi Mr.Kennedy when I saw him and to give him a firm hand shake and look at him in the eyes when I did it.  That first encounter summed up Pete- he was a personality to say the least.  He could make you laugh, tell a story about anything, maybe offend you, and kick you in the butt if needed.  

When I started coaching he took me under his wing and I looked up to him as one of the inspirations as to why I wanted to coach.  22 years later he always supported me, and of course never held back from sharing an opinion or two.  I appreciated the time while with Brunswick travel, later on the Ohio North board and most recently coaching together at North Royalton.  He was genuine, honest and caring.  He especially was attentive to the players who had a few issues and for those players he made significant efforts to build a bond and mentor those players.  He left a large impact on players he coached and the other staff coaches that benefited being around him.  At North Royalton he took a special interest in the school/community by attending football games on occasion, basketball games and in the offseason him and I would travel to see our players play in state cup matches.  He was all in and made each day coaching with him more enjoyable.  

Mary he often talked about how much you were his person.  He adored you and said often you were the best thing to come into his life.  Mackey and Dan he was so proud of you both and always enjoyed sharing the accomplishments of you both.  He recently enjoyed talking about the video calls with his granddaughter and especially talking about her â€œleft footâ€.  

I very much appreciated knowing Pete.  Iâ€™ll cherish all the memories and times spent.l together.  These last few months have been very difficult and his passing seems untrue.  Iâ€™m glad to have called you a mentor, inspiration and a close friend Pete Kennedy.  Tell a good story, tell someone to run a lap for wearing green, and coach the beautiful game until we meet again.

Thank you for everything you have ever done as a coach. Some of my best soccer memories were having you as an assistant coach. I will always treasure the time I had with you. I can't count the number of people you have helped through your life.

Coach Pete found me broken and destroyed as a young boy with mental health at age 8. He lobbied with the other coaches to let me play and he would take care of me. 30 years later he is the only person who has reached out to me In loving, gentle, sincere caring for me when my disability has flared up again. 
This year it has been Pete - my favorite coach of all time - who has and inspired me not to be ashamed of my mental health or what ever it is. 
This dude said to me this year after I had a bad month (well what he said was perfect and what I needed to hear) as his fing last words. What a d to die.

This man has seriously saved my life numerous times. No not by coach in G field on the hills. (Sooo many hilarious memories in Garfield- sooooo many!). No this man saves the broken by being there and letting me cry and listening. 
He kept me on our Brunswick travel team even when no one liked me or could handle me. Which is one of the greatest brotherhoods anyone could have. He let me coach with him and his son at age 11. He watch me and Mackey play flag football when where out of college. He came over to the hood to coach with me for 8 years at Garfield Hts. Left for minute there then realized coaching together is just fun and weird when you really canâ€™t win anything in Garfield. Although we developed our players and where an A+ Coaching staff. We did we a lot of championships together though. lost against the f in Bolten Wanders (the game was rigged - we played down  7v11 by have time all red cards against the Greatest team I have ever played on in which Pete was the coachâ€â€â€Great Lakesâ€â€â€ We should have won the Manchester and Arsenal Cups but we settled for the ladder. He lobbied for me to coach with him at age 12 which set my career a flame. Thanks Pete
Since that time we have coached together for 25 years. 
He was an angry ( never really angry) Irishman with kind caring heart. A heart which he poured out to everyone. Of his players. He always had the big picture in mind - soccer was an environment to grow/learn as and individual in lifetime of friendship and support. If any of his players asked him for everything (other then playing time) he would be there for them. He  loved all his players and always sought to win the game/maximize practice but have fun once we learned soccer is a gentlemanâ€™s sport. You learn the rules-your teammates and coach. You play the system and then you party when you win. 
And thatâ€™s life.
Going through life with this man as a father/big brother/friend/peer has been for my part always God sent. He truthfully loved his neighbor as he loved himself. He cared for me. He loved me and f Pete Iâ€™m so sad to lose you. Iâ€™m sorry I could call you back Iâ€™ve been afraid of everyone again. Like Iâ€™m 8. 
Pete was always honest with you, and in his later years merciless with his language ðŸ˜³ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚â¤ï¸ (Only when you really where consistently dumb on the pitch). 
I love Pete. I love him very much. I would not have made it through soccer/life with out him. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I have every faith and knowledge I will see this ornery cuss again in heaven. 
Sadness overwhelms me at this loss. 
Mary he loved you and his boys very much. As his close friend in this past decade he loved you guys more than anything else in this world I promise you that.
Iâ€™m drink like the Irishman I am when I see ya Kennedyâ€™s. 
May God bless Pete with the salvation he deserves and the salvation of Kesus mercy which we all need everyday. I love you my brother. Now Iâ€™m going to cry a b

â€œDamn it Kenderesâ€

OBITUARY

PETER MACKEY KENNEDY SR.

17 September, 1955 – 22 December, 2020

A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home

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