Alan James Kennedy

Alan James Kennedy, a lifelong resident of Waukegan, passed away at the age of 89 on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Victory Lakes after succumbing to complications from lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur Kennedy and Doris (nee Newell) Kennedy; brothers Robert and Michael; sisters Kay and Janet; daughter Valeri (Nee Kennedy) White; grandson Evan White; and his long-time partner Patricia Hansen. Alan is survived by his brother Ronald Kennedy; daughter Jo Ann Kennedy; granddaughters Lauren (Christopher) Dudek and Bryn (Michael) Glatzel; and grandson David White.

He lived a full life and treasured spending his summers at the beloved family farm in Anoka, Minnesota. He was well-traveled starting after high school when he took a trip cross country with his good friends. He joined the U.S. Air Force when he returned and he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. After his time in the Air Force, he and his family moved back to Waukegan where he worked in construction. As much as he loved construction, he knew he couldn’t do it forever, and received his accounting degree from Lake Forest College. After several years in accounting, he decided to leave his desk job to continue working with his hands in construction and retired with the City of Waukegan.

He was extensively involved in the recovery community in Waukegan for 43 years. He was instrumental with the establishment of the Alano Club of Waukegan and counted its members as his closest friends.

When he wasn’t working, he was with the love of his life Cheri, his vizsla, walking along Illinois Beach State Park. Years later he found the new apple of his eye, Britt, his Brittany Spaniel, who he credited with his health and longevity. The two were inseparable.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the ASPCA at aspca.org or the Humane Society at humanesociety.org.

The visitation will be held on April 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Marsh Funeral Home at 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL. A memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. The internment will be private.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the Kennedy family.