Southbridge: James E. Kennedy, 87, of Gardner St., passed away on Monday, Feb. 27 ^th , in the Southbridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, after a long illness.

He leaves his four children, John P. Kennedy of Big Pine Key, FL, Deborah Kennedy Bryan and her husband Jay of Jacksonville, FL, Diane M. Crane and her husband Tony of Fiskdale and Donna M. Doiron and her husband Richard of Westfield; his former wife Erline T. (Jalbert) Kennedy of Southbridge; his six grandchildren, Jessica Rockwood, Katie Turner, Kelsey Kligerman, Gregory Crane, Emily Doiron and Benjamin Doiron; his three great grandchildren, Jacob Turner, Daylen Turner and Annelise Kligerman; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Gesner) Connor-Kennedy and her three children, Christian F. Conner, Matthew S. Conner and Ace J. Conner all of Dudley; and several nieces and nephews.  His son, Thomas J. Kennedy, passed away in December of 2021.  He was also predeceased by his three sisters, Margaret Maly, Louise Beaupre and Mary Veber.  Jim was born in Worcester the son of James P. and Cecile (Suprenant) Kennedy.  He served in the US Air Force at the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, ME.

Jim was the circulation manager for the Southbridge News for many years, retiring many years ago.  He previously worked at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, CT.  He was a longtime active member of St. Mary's Church in Southbridge, serving as a collector, a lecturer and a CCD hall monitor. He was a member of the DeTriana council 199 of the Knights of Columbus in Southbridge; a member of the Leonide J. Lemire post 6055 of the VFW in Southbridge; and a member of the Pilsudski Polish American Club in Southbridge.  Jim was a great athlete and played basketball, handball, racquetball, softball and bowling.  He was a lifetime member of the YMCA in Southbridge where he was a handball champion in 1972.  He played softball in the Southbridge Softball League at Henry St. Field in Southbridge and bowled in the Southbridge Bowling League with his son-in-law Tony.  Jim also enjoyed playing golf and got a hole-in-one at Hemlock Golf Course in Sturbridge.  Jim was well known for his hatred of all of the New England sports teams and a fan of any team in LA.

His funeral will be held on Friday, March 10 ^th , at 11:00am in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Friday, March 10 ^th , from 9:00 to 11:00am, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701.