Richard Kennedy Jr.
Richard P. Kennedy Jr., 76, of Butler passed away at home on March 10, 2021, after a long illness. He fought a courageous battle against Pompe’s disease, a form of muscular dystrophy. Rick participated in two studies to help find a cure, and medications to treat this rare disease.
Rick was born on April 10, 1944, at home in Evans City. He was the son of the late Richard P. Kennedy Sr. and Betty (Sankey) Kennedy.
Rick graduated from Evans City High School in 1962, and he attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, Mo.
Rick retired from Armco in 1996, ending 32 years on the job. Before his retirement from Armco, Rick opened a business, Ken-Fab & Weld, in February 1991. He set up shop in the former Hutchinson fabricating building under the Main Street Bridge. Within two years, he moved the business to the former Spang fabricating shop. In 1995, Rick opened Butler Steel Supply, which sold aluminum, stainless steel, sheet, plate and structural steel to businesses and individuals for manufacturing uses. Rick devoted his energy and attention to the businesses, which then relocated to East Butler in July 2001.
Rick was devoted to his wife, his children, his grandchildren and his friends. He was a member of Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church in Saxonburg. He was proud of his Irish and Scottish heritage. Rick also generously donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Wounded Warrior Project and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Rick enjoyed many activities and hobbies, such as sky diving and skiing, in his younger years. He also enjoyed playing with his dog, “Bash,” listening to oldies songs from the 1950s and 1960s, coin collecting, cooking and baking. His chocolate chip cake, chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies were everyone’s favorites. Rick also enjoyed the Pittsburgh Penguins and classic cars.
Rick derived much pleasure from playing golf. He was a member of the Butler Country Club, where he served on the board of directors for three years, and where he also shot two holes-in-one. The first one was on hole no. 6 on Nov. 13, 2001. The second was on hole no. 10 on Aug. 19, 2002. Rick enjoyed golfing at many courses, but the most exciting ones were Doral and Pebble Beach. Rick also served as president of the Armco Golf Club, and as president of the Tri-Boro Golf League.
In later years, Rick enjoyed playing poker with a group of friends in Butler, who affectionately called him “Moondoggie.”
Surviving are Rick’s wife, Cynthia Faye (Pawk) Kennedy, whom he married on July 2, 1977; a daughter, Jennifer Lee (Joshua) Reed of New Lexington, Ohio; a son, Bryan Richard Kennedy of Butler; and three grandchildren, Gavin Richard LeGrand, Avery John Reed and Claire Elizabeth Ann Reed, all of New Lexington, Ohio.
He is also survived by a brother, Brant William (Suzanne) Kennedy of Allison Park; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Brenda and Greg Oman of Hermitage; four nephews, Rich Graef of Marienville, Pa., Gary (Mieko) Zeller of Friendsville, Texas, Jason (April) Oman of Sharpsville, Pa., and Patrick Oman of Houston, Texas; one niece, Maureen (Mike) Kovalcik of Mount Lebanon; two great-nieces, Hannah Zeller of Friendsville, Texas, and Vivian Oman of Sharpsville, Pa.; and two great-nephews, Carter Kovalcik and Cole Kovalcik of Mount Lebanon.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Lee Kennedy Leasure.
KENNEDY — The family of Richard P. Kennedy Jr., who died Wednesday, March 10, 2021, will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 4 p.m. Saturday at Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew, with the Rev. Thomas McMeekin officiating.
Donations may be made in Rick’s name to Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church, 390 Frazier Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056, or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at mda.donordrive.com.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
