Dr. Joseph Mathias Kennedy, MD passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. He was one of seven boys, born February 24, 1927 to Frank and Margaret Kennedy in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating from Mount Saint Michael Academy, Joe joined the United States Army in 1945 and was discharged due to the end of WWII. With the aid provided by the GI bill, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1948, where he studied chemistry and played the trombone in the marching band.
Joe worked as a laboratory technician in San Bernardino, CA for 10 years before entering medical school at Universidad de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico. Going to school there with little knowledge of Spanish was great fun for him. After graduating, he came to Phoenix to start his Internal Medicine Residency at Maricopa County General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. He met and married Cecelia Gorman on September 30, 1961 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. They moved to Santa Monica, CA where he completed a fellowship in Rheumatology at UCLA where his research on the pioneering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Indomethacin was published. He returned to Phoenix to start his internal medicine practice and raise his family.
Joe was an early President for the Arizona Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and operated his private practice for 30 years from the Grunow Medical Building. After closing his practice he went to work with the Veterans Administration for 20 years.
He was known as ‘kill shot Joe’ on the racquetball court and was also an early bird hiker on the North Mountain hiking trail. His other hobby was studying languages. He enjoyed meeting people and speaking with them in their native language.
He was preceded in death by parents, his brothers; Martin, James, John, Richard, William and Alfred, his wife Cecelia (Gorman) and daughter Elizabeth. He is survived by his sons James (Patty) and Frank (Magali), daughter Kathryn (Karl) Johnson, grand children Jeremiah Johnson, Jacqueline Johnson, Ryan Kennedy, Sean Kennedy and Colin Kennedy.
Joe’s cheerful sense of humor will be missed by many, including his family, friends, dear friend Jeanne, and many others. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 9:00am. The Funeral Mass will also be live streamed at https://sfxphx.org/livestream. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org.
Magali
Le ciel est, par-dessus le toit,
Si bleu, si calme!
Un arbre, par-dessus le toit,
Berce sa palme.
La cloche, dans le ciel qu’on voit,
Doucement tinte.
Un oiseau sur l’arbre qu’on voit,
Chante sa plainte.
Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, la vie est là
Simple et tranquille.
Cette paisible rumeur-là
Vient de la ville.
– Qu’as-tu fait, ô toi que voilà
Pleurant sans cesse,
Dis, qu’as-tu fait, toi que voilà,
De ta jeunesse ?
Wendy Dubois
Frank and family,
I offer my heartfelt condolences to you in this time of sorrow.
May you find strength during this difficult time.
Daniel A Musgrove
Many, many, many wonderful memories of Dr. Joe, Cel, and of course growing up with his 3 kids. Sally was right there with Cecelia to meet him. God speed, Joe.
Mary Felix
You are in my heart and prayers. I love you all. XO
Craig Thomas
Frank, my heart goes out to you & Mags. You father seemed to have lived a wonderful life. Be Well!
sheryl sniegowski
We enjoyed seeing Dr. Kennedy every morning when he drove to hike. I’m sure you will miss him very much. Know he is with God now and young again just in time for Easter.
Charmaine Pulliam
My deepest condolences to the family. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers with love. I will continue to smile at so many wonderful memories of Joe teaching me French and making us laugh and smile at CPK.
Amelia Baker
I’m very sorry for your loss. Joe, you will always have a special place in my heart. God bless.
Billy Engstrom
Frank your Father had to be a wonderful man in order to raise such a wonderful son. I am truly sorry for you and your family’s loss. We will be keeping each of you in our prayers.
Take Care!
Rosanne E Trujillo
Family of Dr. Kennedy,
He and I worked together at the VA Medical Center in 2006 and intermittently kept in touch after I retired in 2012 . Always a gentleman, he a few times treated me to lunch at CA Pizza/Biltmore. He loved people and seemed to know everyone! as we walked around the mall. No topic was off the table and his trips to Vegas for finance conferences always intrigued me. He spoke of one trip where grandson Jeremiah was competing in gymnastics, very proud of his grand children. His trip to Portugal with the family was mentioned too. Sorry to hear of his passing as he was a friend to me. My deepest condolences to your family at this difficult time.