This quiet, humble, unassuming Brother joined St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in 1976 when he transferred to NAS Cecil Field from San Diego with the Navy. He did not join the Knights of Columbus until 2022. He joined to build a stronger relationship with other Parishioners that he had come to admire and work with.
He was born in Philadelphia to an Irish family, where he was one of eight children. The product of a very strong Catholic family, he attended Catholic schools and wound up at on the basketball team at the University of Villanova. After an injury sidelined him for a semester he received his draft notice. Rather than being drafted, he decided to join the Navy like his brother. So, he visited NAS Willow Grove north of Philadelphia, where a recruiter wanted him to finish his college in the Navy Reserve; where he elected for flight training and passed his physical. After graduation in 1965 he reported to NAS Pensacola and the rest is history. He spent twenty years flying off aircraft carriers and another ten years piloting ships. He retired from the Navy in 1994 as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Saratoga CV 60 on the same day the vessel was retired.
He met his wife Patty in Norfolk and they got married after his first tour. Patty is a school nurse at the Bolles School and the University of North Florida. For many years she was a home healthcare nurse, providing home care in Keystone Heights, Stark, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs and Orange Park. After his time in the Navy, he worked for six years with the USO (United Services Organization). For nineteen years, he was the Director of Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) at Naval Station Mayport. He officially retired in the fall of 2019.
Their children Patrick and Michael are both in their 50’s. Their eldest son Patrick is currently Chief Executive Officer of Building Abilities for Special Children and Adults (BASCA). Michael is a retired Army Apache helicopter pilot and is currently the head test pilot for the Army out of Huntsville, Alabama.
For years, he was an avid runner and participated in 10K runs, half marathons, many 15K River Runs. His main hobby is raising Great Danes.
He has been a Catechist for about ten years. He is a lector and usher. He was a member of the parish finance committee for five years. Besides being active with the NMCRS for nineteen years, he volunteers in the Food Pantry at the Clothes Closet in Orange Park; providing food to families in need. He is a major contributor to Parish Family Life Center and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Bingo Team and volunteers at Council events; most recently, the Urban Plunge send-off luncheon.
For his service to his Parish, his community, and the Knights of Columbus, the Council selects William H. Kennedy as its Knight of the Month for August 2023.
Congratulations, Bill!
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