John G.
Kennedy
- Visitation
- Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave, Oak Creek
- Celebration of Life
- Friday, January 31, 2025 starting at 7:30pm at Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave, Oak Creek
John G. Kennedy
John G. Kennedy passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 63 following a long battle with prostate cancer. Loving husband of over 33 years to Jeanne (Barry) and beloved dad to Trevor and Brian (Regla Villalobos Ramila).
Born in Red Lake, Ontario, Canada, John moved to the U.S. with his parents and siblings. He is survived by his mother Annette (late Dale), cherished siblings Kelly Kennedy, Jean (Tim) Galten and Jim (Suzanne) Kennedy. Sisters-in-law Ellen (George) Sokol, Mary Pat Barry, Nancy (Tom) Anderson, Kathleen Asher and Clare (Jay) Treichel, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many close friends and co-workers.
John was a proud graduate of Greenfield HS ‘79 and Marquette University ‘83. He worked for over 20 years at Abbott Laboratories and when the opportunity arose, took early retirement. This started his “retirement” career working for the Milwaukee Brewers as an Usher Supervisor and the Milwaukee Admirals as a minor official, both of which he loved as he cherished the friends he made.
His lifelong love of sports began as he played youth hockey for SHAW, college hockey at Marquette University, followed by playing, coaching and managing for 16 years with the Milwaukee Flyers in the Great Lakes Hockey League. He also began refereeing hockey at age 12 and continued this for 49 years. He coached hockey for many years with SHAW (including four State Champion teams), Milwaukee Jr Admirals and the Ice Force high school team. John was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017, in recognition of his contributions to the sport of hockey in the state. Baseball and softball were also beloved sports. He coached several baseball teams at Franklin Little League and was honored to go back to his alma mater to coach the Greenfield HS JV baseball team. He played on numerous softball teams in his younger years and transitioned to 50+ senior softball where he met some wonderful teammates and friends. He was honored to volunteer at the Wounded Warriors softball tournament for many years.
Many thanks to the wonderful caring doctors, nurses and staff at the Reiman Cancer center in Franklin and the Froedtert Drexel Town Square Cancer Center in Oak Creek.
John was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, friend and role model and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Visitation at Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave, Oak Creek on Friday, January 31, 2025, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, service 7:30- 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.pcf.org) or the charity of your choice.
Thank you for being such a great coach! I definitely wasn’t the easiest person to coach and you always knew how to push me to the best player I could be. You were also an amazing dad when I would hang out with Trevor and your family.
I will cherish the memories that we had together
The world lost another great person. John was the nicest, most respectful person that you could ever meet. He was pleasant to be around and I wish I would have spent more time with him.
I enjoyed skating with him in my younger years and have nothing but fond memories.
Rest in peace. You are a true warrior for the fight you gave .
With Love,
Larry and Sandy Peters
Thank you for everything over the years! The Jensens
We are so sorry to hear this. John has been the best next door neighbor you could ask for. Always waving, smiling, saying hi, and bringing up our garbage cans while we were still at work. He would come over and talk hockey with us and our hockey loving kids. We always loved running into him and Jeanne at Admirals games. He will be missed by our whole family.
They don’t make them like they made JK. Kind and caring but, also, a whole lot of fun. I’m kind of at a loss for words to describe the man he was. A great friend. Truly one of a kind and will be so dearly missed.
John was an amazing coach, an incredible man.
Only kindness came from him and his family. We are incredibly blessed to have been a part of his life.
With love and prayers for comfort,
The Manskes
John,
You will be truly missed!
Hearing of you passing was a shock.
Your love of the game and passion and patience , made each child a better player. I will never forget the time you would set aside for my son to make him a better person and player. You had a great way to bring out all the true talent of everyone you coached. Many great memories!!! Thank you!
Heartfelt condolences to family and friends. Patrick, Natasha, and Olivia
The Kennedy & Caufield families go back so many years, filled with fun, happiness & love. That love is still around, especially with all the Kennedy’s at this time. God bless John and all his family.
With love, The Caufield’s.
The Kennedy & Caufield families go back so many years, filled with fun, happiness & love. That love is still around, especially with all the Kennedy’s at this time. God bless John and all his family.
With love, The Caufield’s.
Sure going to miss our texts back and forth especially during hockey games, whether it be when the Canadiens were playing or junior games, I loved just hearing from Johnny randomly.
I will cherish the latest visit he made with his mom and Jean and Jimmy only 2 years ago to Red Lake. Of course the visit involved our Norseman days with some beer gardens and live music and some baseball games under the lights- all the things Johnny loved to do.
You will be missed by many my dear cousin. Wish I could have been down for your service but just couldn’t make it work.
Love to the entire family. 💞
Karen Pace and Peppi and extended family
It was an honor playing for you. You’ll always be my favorite coach. Thank you for everything!
Annette and family so sorry for your loss. Roy and Diane Salmela and sons Evan and John.