Senate Resolution No. 4270

BY: Senator KAMINSKY

MOURNING the death of Bernard Kennedy, family man,
co-chairman of the Board of King Kullen Grocery Co.,
Inc., distinguished citizen and devoted member of
his community

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to publicly mourn the death
of those prominent citizens whose lifework and purposeful endeavors have
served to enrich and enhance the quality and character of life for
others in their community and the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Bernard Kennedy, a preeminent citizen whose
distinguished public service and caring commitment will long serve as a
standard to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, Bernard Kennedy of Point Lookout, New York, died on
Saturday, February 17, 2018, at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, Bernard Kennedy was born to J. Donald Kennedy and Gertrude
Cullen Kennedy in 1925; he was raised in St. Albans and Hollis, Queens,
and graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York, in 1943;
and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Bernard Kennedy earned his bachelor's degree in
business administration from St. John's University; he furthered his
education by obtaining his degree from St. John's law school; and

WHEREAS, Bernard Kennedy proudly served his country as a gunner in
the United States Navy during World War II; after his discharge in 1946,
he returned to his hometown; three years later, he married the former
Dorothy B. Bloodgood, and together, the couple were blessed with five
children; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Bernard Kennedy began his distinguished
career with King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc.; he quickly rose through the
ranks, attaining the title of President, a position he held from
1984-1998; he also served as co-Chairman of the board until his death;
and

WHEREAS, In December of 2012, Bernard Kennedy was instrumental in
opening a new King Kullen supermarket in Island Park, New York, a
village in Nassau County that was among the hardest hit by Superstorm
Sandy; during this devastating time, the residents of the community
truly enjoyed performing normal, daily tasks such as grocery shopping;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc.,
Bernard Kennedy was a vital member of the Nature Conservancy and the St.
John's University President's Council, and was a participant of the
Board of Trustees of Long Beach Medical Center; he also served as both
President and Chairman of Long Beach Medical Center's Board of
Directors; and

WHEREAS, In his numerous leadership roles at Long Beach Medical
Center, Bernard Kennedy donated his own funds to the organization, and
helped establish a dialysis center in 2010; during the aftermath of
Superstorm Sandy, he diligently worked to make all the necessary repairs
to the hospital, and convinced officials to open this vital medical
institution to the public as quickly as possible; and

WHEREAS, When he was not working or helping someone, Bernard Kennedy
loved spending time with his beloved family; a man of many interests, he
enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was fishing off the jetties in Point
Lookout or swinging a club at the golf course; he also liked to listen
to music and wrote his own operas; and

WHEREAS, Bernard Kennedy is survived by his wife of almost 70 years,
Dorothy B. Kennedy; four sons, J. Donald (Ruthann) Kennedy, Terence P.
(Elizabeth Coughlin) Kennedy, Bernard P. (Lisa) Kennedy, and Dr. Eugene
C. (Michelle) Kennedy; one daughter, Maura K. LaBella; 10 grandchildren,
Randy, Nora, Michael, Brian, Christopher, James, Patrick, Caitlin,
Timothy, and Sean; and three great-grandchildren, Zea, Cassidy, and
Emmanuella, all of whom will treasure his sense of humor, kindness, and
compassion for his neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Over his meritorious life, Bernard Kennedy distinguished
himself as a man of values and commitment and of sincere dedication and
substantial contribution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
pay tribute to the memory of Bernard Kennedy to celebrate his life, and
to applaud his many accomplishments that future generations may know and
appreciate his admirable character and the esteem in which he was held;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Bernard Kennedy.