James Kennedy, age 58, of Isanti passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family October 23, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., with a time of reflection starting at 7:00 P.M., Friday, October 26th at Strike Life Tributes in Isanti. Private graveside service Saturday, October 27th at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.
James “Pat” Patrick Kennedy, III was born May 18, 1960 at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota to James Patrick Jr. and Winnifred (Salmonson) Kennedy. He attended school in the Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids area. He was a Warehouse Forman at Old Dutch Foods for 37 years. On November 15, 2004 he married Yvonne (Gorsegner) and they made their home in Isanti. Jim loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, woodworking, 4-wheeling, watching the stars and meteor showers. He also enjoyed being politically active and was a councilman in Isanti. He always loved a good debate and would tell you what he thought straight up. Jim was always there if someone needed help. He was loyal to his family and friends; he took care of his family before himself, and was a fighter to the end.
Jim passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family October 23, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 58 years, 5 months and 5 days. He was preceded in death by his father, James Patrick Jr., and all 4 grandparents.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; mother, Winnifred “Winnie”; siblings, Keith (Sharon), Kristi (Carl), Shelly (Tom), Nadine (Kim); cherished by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Another good man lost too soon. Sending our deepest condolences for your loss.
Sincerely,
Larry and Karen Rudesill
Our family is going to miss having this face in our lives. Many prayers to Yvonne and family.
Wow… this obituary is so well said. It describes Jim to a T!! I was extremely saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. To say that Jim was a good friend of mine and my family, would be an understatement. I’m happy and blessed to say that I’ve known since I was 2 years old, 30 years. My father came to work for Old Dutch Foods in 1988 (and is still currently working now), and that’s where he (our family) met Jim. Jim and my Father very quickly formed a close bond that lasted over 30 years. Jim was a true friend to my Father and respected him very much. Like this obituary says, Jim’s loyalty was like no other. He was the definition of a “true friend.” I myself started working for Old Dutch in 2004, and that’s when Jim and I became good friends. It had been a few years since I had last seen Jim, but I will never forget that first day at work and how Jim looked after me as if I was one of his nieces. I was young and shy as most 17 year old girls are, and I was walking back to the warehouse from the front office. One gentleman started yelling inappropriate and derogatory comments to me in front of other employees. I was mortified as he kept spouting out things, and loudly too. All of a sudden someone comes out of the “smoke shack” as we call it here at OD, like a bat out of hell, madder than the dickens, swearing and walking directly for that guy. I won’t say on here what Jim said to that guy, as I’m sure most of you can imagine!! :) That guy ran off so fast and terrified! Jim immediately turned right back around to me, apologized for that jerk of a guy, and said I’m Jim Kennedy, you haven’t seen me in a while, I’m good friends with your Dad, how are you doing?!” Even if Jim had never met me before that day, he was the kind of person who stood up for others, and stood up for what was right. He said what everyone else wanted to say and was thinking, but was too afraid to. He told it like it was, no BS, just the honest truth. The fact that I was also the daughter of one of his friends was reason enough for Jim to step in. No one messed with Jim or any of his friends and family. Not without hearing about it straight from Jim. That kind of love and loyalty is extremely rare in today’s’ world. The world lost an amazing Man on Tuesday. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like Jim in it. I’m really going to miss him! Rest peacefully James. Thanks for always looking after me. I’ll remember you always! <3 Sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Yvonne, and the rest of Jim's family and friends.
XOXO
I know my cousin Jim as “Pat or Patrick”. We reconnected about 2 years ago and found that as we sat and had our lunch we had so many memories to share and laugh about. One memory that has circulated in our house for many many years is hilarious and I’ll share it here: Patrick and a couple of his siblings were at our house in Mora for the day. Mom was babysitting. We were all playing outside and Patrick had said some bad words. lol (bad words change as you get older) Mom told him if he said it one more time she was going to give him cod liver oil. (that was the worst punishment for my sisters and brothers). Well, he said it again and Mom brought him in the kitchen and gave him a tablespoon of CLO. He took it like a champ and then looked at her and asked for more!!!!! He actually liked it! You can imagine how that went over. Made for a Great Memory <3
Patrick has gone home….as I believe he is near we just can't see him but he is with all of us who carry him in our heart.
I can only imagine the welcoming he received at the reunion of souls. James Patrick Kennedy's family- Grandma & Grandpa, his Dad, his Aunties, Uncles and friends were there to greet him with open loving arms.
We WILL see him again as all of us go "home".
I will remember him with a smile and fondness……