Kennedy, Denis Ross
On September 23, 2015, Denis passed away at the Mill Creek Care Centre in Barrie, surrounded by his wife Margaret (Marty) Kennedy and close family after a long battle with Parkinson ’s disease. Denis, the son of Joseph Ross Kennedy and Mary Olive Ruth Kennedy, was born in Mimico, Ontario on May 3, 1926. Although Denis was born in the city, his heart drew him to the Parry Sound-Muskoka area. Denis began a successful career in the plumbing and electrical business in Gravenhurst, Ontario where he joined Clift Bros. Plumbing, Heating and Electrical. He met and married his first wife Marie Winifred Kennedy (nee Hill) in Bracebridge. When the opportunity arose to purchase the Parry Sound location of Clift Bros., Denis and his good friend Roy Bloomfield acquired the business and moved to Parry Sound. Denis and Roy built Clift Bros. into a successful and well respected contracting business servicing many faithful cottagers and permanent residents throughout the Parry Sound/Georgian Bay area. Denis and Marie built a cottage on Georgian Bay and enjoyed their summers boating and fishing with children Donna, Doug and Terry. During the winter, Denis was very active in the Parry Sound Minor Hockey Association and managed some very successful bantam and midget teams. A backyard ice rink was always made for Donna to figure skate which also provided great fun for the neighbourhood children. Denis also enjoyed hunting and the annual fall ‘hunt camp’ trips up to Pogamasing Lake.
After many successful years of business, and Marie’s passing in 1975, Denis and Roy decided to sell the business in 1977. Denis met his second wife, Margaret (Marty) May Kennedy (nee Disley) through his hunting friends and trips to Wauwashkesh Lake. He and Marty married in 1977 and enjoyed 38 years of marriage and full-time retirement. They lived in Parry Sound on Mill Lake and wintered in Florida and enjoyed travelling throughout the US. During this time, Denis pursued his long-time interest in wood carving and created some exemplary pieces, including his Santa Claus, beloved by the family. After a decade of being snowbirds, Marty and Denis yearned to settle in one place and after a trip out west decided Vancouver Island, BC was the place for them. They moved to Nanaimo and enjoyed many years of year-round golf, gardening, boating and exploring on the Island. They made many good friends and traveled extensively, including Alaska, Bali, Hawaii and England. Despite Denis’ and later Marty’s Parkinson ’s disease, they filled their days with activity and truly loved their time out west. As Parkinson’s progressed for both of them, they returned to Ontario and settled into retirement living in Barrie close to Donna and Terry and their families. Despite his physical decline, Denis kept his renowned dry sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye right up to his death. During his time in Barrie, he was lovingly cared for by his wife Marty, home care and the staff at The Waterford, more recently the caring staff at Mill Creek Care Centre, and always by daughter Donna. Preceded in death by Marie Kennedy. Lovingly remembered by his wife Marty Kennedy, daughter Donna Raeburn of Orillia, son Douglas and his wife Jane Kennedy of South Carolina, and daughter Terry Hurst of Orillia. Sadly missed by his grandchildren Sundae, Cory, Natalie, Amanda, Libby, many great-grandchildren, and his extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson Society Canada. A celebration of Life gathering will take place at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie, Ontario on Thursday October 1st, 2015 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Interment will take place in Sylvan Acres, Hurdville, Ontario at a later date. Online condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com