Patrick James Kennedy
Burial Details
Obituaries
Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary to Denver Post - May 4, 2016
Between those dates, Patrick lived life large! His humble beginnings near the coal mines of Frederick, CO, he was the second child of four children born to Leo J. and Frances Campbell Kennedy. He was proud of his pure Irish lineage and of the Kennedy homestead of Northeastern CO near Otis. Father Patrick was preceded in death by his father, Leo James; his mother, Frances Elizabeth Campbell Kennedy “Francie”; sister Mary Jane; brothers Leo Thomas and baby brother, Michael; countless Campbell and Kennedy aunts, uncles and cousins; and many in his brotherhood of priests.
He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and was Ordained into the Priesthood on May 29th 1953 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver by Archbishop Urban Vehr.
During his 88 years, Patrick touched the lives of thousands of people! He was a devoted disciple and priest to Christ and the Denver Archdiocese for 63 years. Until his dying breath, he was drawing people ever closer to God. Patrick was devoted to our blessed mother, Mary, and a rosary was never far from his fingers. Patrick adored his mother, Francie, and the death of his brother and soulmate Leo, was a tremendous loss to him!
Father Pat was a true shepherd of souls! He served the Archdiocese of Denver from Hugo to Vail and many parishes in between. He was friendly, never knowing a stranger. He was generous, forgiving, patriotic, intellectual, brave, and genuinely interested in all people. He had a passion for the poor and down trodden. He was a voice for reform, and was not afraid to push the boundaries for human rights and care of our universe!
ASSISTANT PASTOR: Holy Family, Denver (1953-1963); St. Anthony of Padua, Denver (Pro-tem, May – August, 1977).
PASTOR: St. Anthony and mission parish, Hugo (1963-1966); Holy Family, Denver (1966-1969); St. Augustine, Brighton (1969-1977); St. Anthony of Padua, Denver (Co-Pastor, 1978-1979); Presentation of Our Lady, Denver (1979-1980); St. Patrick, Minturn, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redcliff, St. Mary, Eagle and Vail Interfaith Chapel (1981-1987); Our Lady of Grace, Denver (1987-1999)
DEAN: Brighton Deanery (1976-1977).
CHAPLAIN: Knights of Columbus Council 3285 (1970-1977), Brighton; State Chaplain for the Colorado State Council of the Knights of Columbus. (1993-1995).
MEMBER: College of Consultors (1981-1983); Pro-Synodal Examiner (1981-1983); Priest Retirement Board as Liaison for Retired Priests (2004-2012).
SABBATICALS: Study Sabbatical – Institute for Spirituality, Berkeley, California (September, 1977 – June, 1978), studied counseling and spiritual direction; Study Sabbatical – Maryknoll Institute, Cochabamba, Bolivia (January – June, 1985)
GRANTED RETIREMENT STATUS: June 30, 2004.
Fr. Pat was the Ultimate sportsman! Skiing, hiking, football, basketball, baseball and hunting. He loved his Rockies, the Avalanche and the Broncos as well as the CU Buffaloes. His hunting exploits were legendary, from mule deer hunting in the foothills to bringing home a pheasant dinner at Aunt Janes, or in the duck blind, he could see it and hit it. His true love was fishing. From catching, King Salmon, Dolly Varden and Grayling in Alaska to Rainbow, Bull and Brook Trout in his beloved Rocky Mountain tributaries. Although known to use a “sinker” when necessary, Pat was a “Dry Fly Fisherman”!
Father Pat is survived by sister-in-law Kathy and daughter Jennifer; Kennedy cousins and Campbell first cousins Georgann Parr (Dan†); Mary Parr (Jack†); Beverly (John†); Michael (Joyce); Margret Ann† and son Mark; Terry (Kerry); Kevin (Mary Jo); Carol Jane (Ted); Patricia “Tish” (Jack); and Bill. Legions of cousins and friends who loved him and will miss him dearly!
Tuesday May 3, 2016 Visitation 5 PM -7PM, Rosary to follow at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4380 Utica St., Denver, CO.
Funeral Mass Wednesday May 4, 2016, at 1:30 PM in the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, 1530 Logan St., Denver.
Interment, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wheat Ridge CO.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Divine Mercy Hospice, 303 South Broadway suite 220 Denver CO 80209.
Matthew 4:19 “ Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”
