Obituary of Daniel M. Kennedy

Daniel Mark Kennedy

March 26, 1959-January 6, 2024

With immediate family surrounding his bedside, Dan, 64, passed into glory and received his eternal reward. Dan courageously, and with successful treatments, fought a lengthy cancer battle with Multiple Myeloma, until a recent relapse, from which his worn and weary body finally found rest and peace.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 42 1/2 years, Mary Johnson Kennedy; children, son Matthew (Meg) Kennedy, Littleton, NH; son Kevin Kennedy (Hannah Wilder), Richmond, VA and daughter Andrea Gillie (Spencer Stultz), Eden, NC., as well as 7 delightful grandchildren whom he adored, Katie Mae, Calder Samuel and Avery Adalind Kennedy, Malachi James and Genesis Kennedy Gillie, John Gabriel Kincaid and Hugo Dare Kennedy.

Also survived by siblings, Patricia (Patrick) Ambrose; Scott(Debbie) Kennedy; David (Noppowan) Kennedy; Seth Kennedy (Kris Knight); step-siblings, Pamela Kilmer Kanicki; Dorene Kilmer Farnham and Richard (Nanette)Kilmer.

Survived by his mother, Barbara A. Kennedy (Silver Creek, NY); Step-mom, Carrol Kennedy(Stockton, NY) Mother-in-law, Nancy F. Johnson ( Mayville, NY) and his dear Aunt Marge(Kennedy) Neal (Niagara Falls, NY)

Predeceased by his father, Richard C. Kennedy (2019) and father-in-law, Leon R. Johnson (2021)

Dan also leaves behind a large extended Johnson/Kennedy family tree, including Mary’s 8 siblings and spouses, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, a multitude of Pearce Church and Cattaraugus Camp family, work colleagues from Rochester Gas and Electric, G4S Security and Unlimited Technology, as well as lifelong friends and his hunting buddies.

Dan was a friend to all. His huge servant heart to help in any situation was exemplified day in and day out. There was never a job that caused intimidation…. he simply pressed on to at least remedy the situation with some degree of resolution., lovingly called “Dan, Dan,… the fix-it Man”, “Big Dan”, “Dan the Man”…….

He especially enjoyed whitetail deer hunting, both locally, on a property he helped manage with a close knit hunting group, as well as occasional trips out west in Wyoming and Montana for mule deer, elk and antelope. His most recent and timely trip happened with his adult sons,his brother-in-law, Andy and 10 year old grandson, Calder, this past October. Dan returned home elated from time spent on a long awaited trip with his boys, but in compromised health, yet he wouldn’t have traded that lifelong dream regardless. It was a blessed gift!

As mentioned, Dan delighted in his grandchildren and the families his children had established. Family time was treasured! Distance made it difficult to be together often, but he surely relished the times all could be together …camping, holidays, birthdays, special events, planned projects …. whatever brought us together was time well spent.

Dan and Mary were married on June 13, 1981, dating since the Spring of 1977, and having known each other through the earlier years of growing up and family acquaintance. Together they enjoyed their 5th wheel RV on occasional trips, but most often used on their leased site at Cattaraugus Christian Camp throughout the summer season , a place near and dear to their hearts always and where Dan spent countless hours doing what he could toward the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and grounds as a trustee since the ‘80s and serving as President of the Trustees for nearly 2 decades.

Dan served his country with his enlistment into the US Army, following high school graduation from Cassadaga Valley Central School in June 1977. He was trained in heavy equipment operations, attended jump school at Fort Benning ,GA and was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon honorable discharge in July 1980, he worked at various jobs in Chautauqua County and in February 1981, began his career of 34 years at Rochester Gas and Electric, followed by employment at G4S and most recently, and for the past several years, at Unlimited Technology, where he worked as a site safety coordinator, giving all he could to his job, dedicated to successful completion and outcomes and his strong work ethic. Dan worked to within just three days prior to his unexpected hospitalization and subsequent passing.

A service of hope and remembrance will take place at 2PM, Sunday January 21, 2024, at Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church, 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili, NY. Please join us as we come together to celebrate Dan’s life and honor his memory.

“For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with him in eternity].”Philippians1:21 (Amplified Bible)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dan’s memory to

Pearce Memorial Church
4322 Buffalo Road
North Chili, NY 14514

or to:

Cattaraugus Christian Camp
 Attn: Elisabeth Bakker Johnson
179 Sugar Hill Road
Rexford, NY 12148