Mark Kennedy, R.I.P.
Our friend Mark Kennedy died last night in his sleep. He had been unwell for some time and had moved first into an apartment in a retirement complex and then into a more restricted facility. A group of friends, the Eastons, Mark Beesley, my wife and I, took him out to breakfast only last week.
People who have attended our events over the past 20 years, both here in Rockford and in Italy, will remember Mark as a helpful friend and cheerful traveler. Although he grew up in a small town near Chicago, he lived in many places, New Orleans in particular, before moving to Rockford, where he was indefatigable in helping us maintain an aging facility and in supporting our work. His friends will miss him and pray for his soul.
This is such sad news. I was so fortunate to have met him for the first time on my first trip with Tom’s group to Rome in 2011. Guessing so many of us have treasured memories as well. He invariably wore a bright blue jacket which made it so easy to see where he was which also invariably would be in the lead of wherever we were walking. There was no keeping up with his pace. Whatever town we would be staying in he would set out seemingly before dawn, to locate the nearest laundromat and he always made sure to remind me to make sure I got hold of enough change to use in these places. And no matter where we were in the country of wine, Mark would make sure to find the single place where they served real beer. There’s lots of memories, and what they have in common was this was a man with a distinctive and rich personality for which if you were his friend, you were a most fortunate person. Prayers for you.
I always admired the unassuming, quiet and humble manner of Mr Kennedy at the summer schools. He made important contributions each day, from morning to night, for those particular occasions yet one would never know it from his words or demeanor. In the old office of the Church there are often references made to such souls with the lines: “Well done good and faithful servant because you have been faithful in a few things, I will grant you ….”
Just to be in his presence always reminded me of this type of soul. I will joyfully, and there is indeed a certain sadness in every joy this side of heaven, pray that he will now enjoy an abundance of what he was so willing to provide to his friends and neighbors in this world—solace, rest and peace. May God bless you, Mark.
Mark would correspond with me occasionally–always with insight, reflection, and perspective–by letter delivered by the USPS. Never did he email. And I thought I was behind the power curve with my flip-up phone! Mark will be missed.
To Roger: And more often than not, the reply to you would have received would have been typed using an old fashioned typewriter that had some letters broken or smudged and for the reason he gave which was that his handwriting was often hard to read. How grand to never using a modern electronic keyboard. It wasn’t being stuck in the past as much as an attitude of why give up what still works fine. Yes, he will be missed.
What a splendid fellow he was! I see from the comments that others observed to same noble qualities in Mark Kennedy that I did.
To him the Kingdom of Heaven!