Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Kennedy, Maurice William "Maury" April 19, 2008
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 February 27, 2023, 12:41 pm

Virginian-Pilot  April 23, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH - Maurice William "Maury" Kennedy, 101, went to our heavenly Father 
April 19, 2008. Born March 1, 1907, in Derby, Conn., he was the son of the late 
James F. and Margaret Keating Kennedy. Maury graduated from Derby High School in 
1924, and went on to Boston where he worked part-time in order to finance his 
classes in electrical and mechanical engineering at MIT. Completing his studies in 
1928, his next adventure was to explore the whole of the Mediterranean as a 
Merchant Marine recording his adventures in journal and pictorial form which the 
family still enjoys reading about today.
Upon his return to the states, a friend convinced him to move to Virginia where 
Maury began work for VEPCO. In 1936, Maury fell in love with Margaret Farrell 
Kennedy and they were married. He then adopted her three children, Peggy, Pat and 
Jim (all of whom preceded Maury in death), and also had two additional children, 
Joyce and Bill. For years, he represented MIT, speaking at local high schools, 
inspiring young people interested in technical and engineering studies.
In 1972, after 38 1/2 years of service, Maury retired from Virginia Electric and 
Power Company (VEPCO) as superintendent of gas operations and, during all the 
years after retiring, he remained friends with colleagues and fellow retirees, 
attending retirement luncheons through his 100th birthday.
He was also a lifetime member and Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and 
Past President of the Northside Rotary Club in Norfolk. One of the highlights he 
experienced as a Rotarian was attending the International Rotary Convention in 
Birmingham, England, and taking his three daughters and two daughters-in-law along 
for the ride. It was a trip never to be forgotten by all concerned for many 
reasons.
As an active member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, he was an usher for 
nearly 40 years and volunteered with several missionaries. Last year, when he 
celebrated his 100th birthday, the church birthday party featured an incredible 
30-foot timetable outlining Maury's personal life and how it coincided with 
historical events. Among other things it showed, to his amusement, that he was 
older than sliced bread (invented in 1920). When asked the secret of his 
longevity, Maury would always reply "one thing - attitude!" Throughout his life, 
Maury had an incredible sense of humor and quick wit, a pragmatic outlook on life 
and a steadfast devotion to his family. He will be profoundly missed.
Maury is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Maurice William "Bill" and Cathy 
Kennedy of Gibsonville, N.C.; his daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Rick Martz of 
Bolivia, N.C., and his daughter-in-law, Mitzi Kennedy of Tampa, Fla. He was the 
loving grandfather of 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and five great-
great-grandchildren.
He leaves a host of friends and dedicated neighbors. The family is especially 
thankful to all of his friends and neighbors, whose loving care for him over the 
years enriched and extended his life. The family will receive friends at St. 
Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, from 7 to 9 p. m. 
today.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 11 a. m. in St. Nicholas 
Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Interment will follow at 
St. Mary’s Mausoleum Cemetery, 3000 Church St., Norfolk. You are invited by the 
family to celebrate Maury's wonderful life after interment at a reception held at 
the St. Nicholas Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Nicholas (Chapel 
Beautification fund) or The Rotary Foundation, 5101 Cleveland St., Suite 301, 
Virginia Beach, VA 23462, in honor of Mr. M. W. Kennedy. H.D. Oliver Funeral 
Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements.

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