Thomas Kennedy

Thomas Erwin Kennedy, age 90 of Niles, Michigan passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Silverbrook Manor in Niles. He was born August 17, 1924 in Niles to Emmett W. and Kathryn (Klein) Kennedy.

On October 9, 1971 in Niles, Tom married the former Doris E. Zechlin, who survives him along with his stepdaughter, Kathleen Tibbs Miller (& Pete) of Saginaw, Michigan; grandchildren, Amy Miller Jepson (& John) of South Lyon, Michigan; Amanda Miller Darling (& Troy) of Wixom, Michigan; Andrew Thomas Miller of Saginaw and great-grandchildren, Jackson Thomas and Ashlyn Grace Jepson; Paxton Eli Darling, and many loving nieces and nephews; Mary Penberthy, Mike Kennedy, Kathleen Litvak, Linda Kennedy, Pat Kennedy, Ann Kennedy, Denise Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Teresa Kennedy, Carol Hjort, Tony Cahnovsky, John Cahnovsky, Tom Cahnovsky, Paul Cahnovsky, Jean O’Hare, Diane Heffernan, and Chris Cahnovsky. Tom is survived by one sister, Mary Catherine Cahnovsky of Belleville, Illinois and one brother, Joseph Klein Kennedy of Whittier, California.

Tom graduated from Niles High School in 1942 while earning All State Honors in Track. He was a World War II Veteran serving in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. He served aboard the USS CHASE DE 158 APD 54 Destroyer Escort Ship, as a Coxswain. Tom was a conductor for the NY Central and Penn Central Rail Road and then Conrail in Elkhart, retiring after 38 years of service on October 1, 1985. He was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1322 in Niles and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 26 of Niles. He was a past president of the local chapter of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees. Tom was a member of the Destroyer Escort Association and attended many of their annual reunions around the United States. He took great pride in volunteer work at the Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, working in the coffee bar and driving the cart to assist patients and guests to the entry doors. He logged in 400 hours. Tom loved traveling, deer hunting, the outdoors, reading, history, storytelling, sharing jokes and spending time with his entire extended family during holidays and family reunions. Tom was also an avid Notre Dame football fan holding season tickets his entire adult life. He celebrated his Irish roots year round.

Tom was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Emmett Kennedy.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Erwin Kennedy will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, in Niles, by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of the parish. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Niles with military honors. Family and friends are invited back to the St. Mary Parish Hall for a luncheon.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to services at the church.

Donations in memory of Tom may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles or the American Cancer Society.