Bernard Paul Kennedy

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 8, from 6-8:00pm at Fred Hunters Funeral Home in Hollywood, FL. Family requests that attendees wear masks.  Burial, with Military Honors, will take place at 10:30am on Thursday, December 9, at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.

The youngest of eight children, Bern was born in Templeton, PA to Frank and Mabel (Bowser) Kennedy on March 26, 1927. He graduated from Kittanning High School on May 31, 1945 and five days later, on June 5, 1945 entered into the service of his country in the waning days of World War II. 

As a PFC in the US Army, Bern earned the Expert Infantryman Badge and was stationed at European Theater Headquarters in Germany.

Post War, Bern married the love of his life, LaRue Wiant and, in his words, “had 4 beautiful children in a very good life of 61 years together”.

For 42 years, Bern worked in various roles for Davison Sand & Gravel on the Dredge Allegheny which plied the waters of the Allegheny River.  Bern worked seven days a week, changed shifts each week, and often took on extra shifts to better provide for his family.  Although he grew up alongside the river in Templeton and worked on a boat every day as an adult, Bern never learned to swim!

His spare time might have been limited, but Bern was a very loving and involved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother and Friend.  His acts of kindness, small and large, touched countless lives.  There were no strangers in his life – everyone was treated as a friend. Bern was active in his church and was an avid fisherman, hunter, baseball fan and handyman with a reputation for being able to “fix anything”. His ability to teach and pass those skills on to others will be a part of his enduring legacy. Bern and LaRue loved to travel this beautiful land and made many cross-country road trips to take in its natural wonders, toting their children and visiting with friends and relatives all along the way.

Bern is survived by his devoted children, Jim Kennedy and spouse Valay, Donna (Kennedy) Talamas and spouse Tony, Daryl Kennedy, and Jay Kennedy and spouse Jana, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bern is preceded in death by his beloved LaRue, along with his parents, siblings and many other close relatives and friends. Our mourning of his death on earth, deep as it is,  pales in comparison to the joy and celebration that is taking place in Heaven right now!

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  For other options or more information, please visit www.fredhunters.com