Cecil Daniel Kennedy, Jr. of Schenectady, formerly of Fishkill, passed away at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after a long illness on February 7, 2020 at age 75.
He was born October 2, 1944 in Schenectady to Cecil Daniel and Esther Mae (Pickett) Kennedy and was affectionately known to his family as “Junior”. He attended high school in Schenectady and later Dutchess Community College where he pursued a degree in Liberal Arts.
Junior was employed by Lyntus Finishing Co. as a factory laborer, State of New York National Bank as a head teller, and at Singer Sewing Co. as a sales representative. In 1978, he was hired at the IBM East Fishkill plant and completed many hours of technical training. He excelled quickly to the position of Inspector Specialist in the Manufacturing Process Control Department and retired from IBM as a Masterslice Hot Process Manager in 1999 after 21 years. Then enjoyed several years in Florida in a retirement community before he returned to Fishkill to be closer to family.
He is survived by his beloved daughter Bridget Kennedy-LaForest; cherished grandson Jon-Claude LaForest; sister Darlene Lee (Frederic) of Northville, NY; sister Carol Traver (Mark) of Schoharie, NY; sister Deborah Wilson (Michael) of Henderson, NV; sister Robin Roberts of Vernon, CT; sister Patricia Richards of Manchester, CT; his nieces and nephews, Arthur Totten, III, Dawn Olsen, Brenda Lincoln, Michael Allen Wilson, Cody Wilson, Amber Vassello, Robert Vassello, Paul Richards, and Russell Richards; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Junior cherished time with his family, dogs, country music, fishing, hunting, traveling, old movies, cruises, fine dining, cooking, a good hot dog, swimming, boating, card games, and trips to the casinos. He loved pictures of family and kept a scrapbook of memories and greeting cards. He had a great sense of humor and a gentle nature.
He was predeceased by his former wife, Diana Pucino Kennedy; his partner, Nina Forzano; son, Cecil Daniel Kennedy, III; father, Cecil Daniel Kennedy; mother, Esther Mae Longmore; sister, Regina Longmore; sister, Joanne Keeney; sister, Janice Dube; and his nephew, Christopher Dube.
Services are private.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (www.parkinson.org).
For online tributes, you can visit Cecil’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.