James Gerard Kennedy, Sr.
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- For the passenger that died on Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529, see that article
| James Gerard Kennedy, Sr. | |
 Kennedy circa 1970-1980
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| Born | February 7, 1907 Harlem |
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| Died | December 24, 1997 (aged 90) Larchmont, New York |
| Occupation | Construction |
| Spouse | Antoinette Granato (1916-1942) Rita Massert |
| Parents | James Joseph Kennedy (1866-1926) Katherine Carr (1865-1951) |
James Gerard Kennedy, Sr. (February 7, 1907 – December 24, 1997) aka James G. Kennedy, was the founder, president, and chairman of James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc. in New York City. [1] [2]
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[edit] Biography
James was born in 1907 in Harlem, the son of James Joseph Kennedy (1866-1926) a plasterer; and Katherine Carr (1865-1951), both immigrants from Ireland. His siblings include: Kathryn Kennedy (1897-1974) aka Sis Kennedy, who married Joseph O'Malley (1893-1985) who was the uncle of Walter Francis O'Malley (1903-1979) the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1950 to 1979; Mary Frances Kennedy (1898-1982) who married Walter M. Hill (1893-1965) who was a taxi driver and movie projectionist; Josephine Kennedy (1899-1900) aka Sarah Kennedy; Thomas Kennedy (1901-1972) who never married; James Gerard Kennedy I (1902-1903); and Joseph Kennedy (1905-1983) who never married. In 1920 the family was living at West 160th Street in Manhattan. He attended Townsend Harris High School and completed an accelerated three year program there, and then took courses at the Mechanical Institute in New York City. After several years working as a plasterer like his father, he founded James G. Kennedy & Co., Inc. in 1935. He served during World War II with the Army Corps of Engineers, and after the war his first large project involved a major renovation for the Bankers Trust company at 14 Wall Street. He married Antoinette Granato (1916-1942) around 1940 and she died of cancer in 1942 after being hospitalized for 2 months and 14 days. [1] In 1991 his company began reconstruction of the Fifth Avenue headquarters of the American Irish Historical Society. [3]
[edit] Florida Institute of Technology
According to the Florida Institute of Technology:
James G. Kennedy, Sr., was Founder, President, and Chairman of the successful 68-year-old interior construction firm, James G. Kennedy & Co, Inc. Mr. Kennedy began his career as a plasterer for the Davis, Brown Company. His first notable construction project was renovation of Bankers Trust at 14 Wall Street. A landmark project in the company’s history was full restoration of the New York Telephone Company, following a devastating fire. A motion picture, 'The Miracle of Second Avenue,' tells the remarkable story of the rebuilding of 'Ma Bell.' A recent, acclaimed project was reconstruction of the Fifth Avenue headquarters of the American Irish Historical Society. Mr. Kennedy was Chairman of the Executive Council of the Society for 25 years. James Kennedy served in World War II as a highly decorated veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers. A Governor of the Downtown Athletic Club, he helped to maintain the integrity of the famous Heisman Trophy. Many accolades for distinguished service were bestowed upon Mr. Kennedy. He was invested into the Order of Knights of Malta; named 'Man of the Year' by the American Jewish Committee; and honored in 1989 by the Dominican Academy as 'Catholic Gentleman' for his generosity in constructing the James G. Kennedy Science Center at the School. He served as President of the Building Contractors Association of the City of New York, and generously supported the Tropical Disease Center at Lenox Hill Hospital. James G. Kennedy, Sr. died on Christmas Eve, 1997, survived by his wife, the former Rita Masset, and by their son, James G. Kennedy Jr., President of the family firm". They also wrote that "James G. Kennedy, Sr., devoted a lifetime to building and preserving the best that we have. Close to the end of his lifetime, he built a rare book room, a safe home for records of the story of the Irish in America."
[edit] Death
James died on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1997 in Larchmont, New York.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "James G. Kennedy, Sr.", New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-12-30. "At home on December 24, 1997. James G. Kennedy Sr., Chairman of the Board of James G. Kennedy & Co., Inc., began his career as a plasterer for the old Davis, Brown Company. He was born in Manhattan's Harlem and attended Townsend Harris High School."
- ^ James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc.. James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ "Renovation. American Irish Society.", New York Times, November 24, 1991. Retrieved on 2007-12-30. "The contractor was James G. Kennedy Company of Manhattan."
