Businessman John Kennedy loved all sports but golf and rugby were his passions
On November 11th 2020, John Kennedy passed away after a short illness, bravely fought. In passing, John leaves an enormous void, both in the lives of his family and his very many friends but, with his life, he leaves an enormous legacy as well.
John was born in Spawell house in 1942 into a farming family. Most of the Templeogue and Tallaght areas were farmland in those days and John, throughout his youth, could be found helping out, when needed, in farms across the south city.
Businessman John Kennedy
From the Terenure College grounds to the Priory in Tallaght and from Bohernabreena to Montpelier Hill, John could be found farming these fields from daybreak to sunset.
Family was always at the heart of his life. He married Ena in 1969 in the Vatican – or Headquarters as he liked to call it – and had three daughters, Caroline, Jennifer and Georgina.
John later became a prominent businessman in the area having built, with his two brothers – Paul and Peter – a hugely successful business in the popular sports and leisure complex Spawell.
John loved all sports, but golf and rugby were his passions.
A founding member and former Captain of Slade Valley golf Club, John loved his time in Slade Valley and all the friends he made there.
Although in his latter years he struggled to manage the terrain of the course he would have been very proud to see the former Captains of the club form a Guard of honour for him at his funeral.
John, having gone to school in Terenure College was always a great supporter of the College and the Rugby Club and backed all events and fundraisers, whether it was a social evening, club auction or whatever. John had a great sense of enjoyment and it was seldom one would see him without a broad smile on his face.
John passed away surrounded by his loving family in the wonderful care of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, beloved husband of Ena, he will be sadly missed by his daughters Caroline, Jennifer and Georgina, grandchildren Isabelle, Olivia, Harvey, John, William, Grace, Paddy, Ellen, Hazel, Molly and Joey, brothers Paul and Peter, sister Mary, sons-in-law Cathal, Paul and Mike, sisters-in-law Margaret and Jean, brother-in-law Larry, nieces, nephews, relatives, predeceased by his sister Carmel.
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