Thomas M. Kennedy, Sr.

Thomas (Tommy) Morgan Kennedy, Sr., 82, a life-long resident of Biloxi, passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2010 surrounded by his family after a brief illness. He was born in Biloxi on February 18, 1928 to the late Beatrice Hardisty Kennedy and William Patrick Kennedy, Jr. With a love for adventure, he was an avid sailor, yachtsman and private airplane pilot. He was King D'Iberville in 1972 with the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. An active local businessman, he was President of Kennedy (Marine) Engine Company, a family owned business, until his retirement in 1990. His love of boats and the water continued in retirement aboard the Yacht Mariner III traveling extensively on the Gulf and East Coast of the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico. He was a graduate of Marion Military Institute in Alabama and General Motors Institute of Technology in Flint, Michigan. He was a proud American and loved his country. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. His sense of humor and peaceful quite spirit will be deeply missed by his family and all that knew him. As per his wishes, a private family service will be scheduled. Any memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice. Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Vickrey Kennedy; his parents; his brother, William Patrick Kennedy, III; son-in-law, James Leonard Range, Jr. He is survived by his children, Thomas (Cynthia Walker), Linda Kennedy Range, Joan Kennedy Finnerty (Jim), James, Sean (Francesca Ingram), and Timothy (Laurie Suarez). He is also survived by his sister, Patti Kennedy Bellman, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.