Richard J. Kennedy, age 95, of the Forked River section in Lacey Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 22nd at Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township.  He was a devoted father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. Richard was born July 4, 1922 to John and Mary Kennedy in Bronx, NY. 

At the age of 5 Richard’s mom passed.  A few years later, his dad met and married a widow, Julia Phelan, who had five children and they then became a wonderful, loving family of 11! They moved to North Plainfield, NJ where Richard grew up and graduated from North Plainfield High School.  After graduating high school, he joined the Navy.  After completing four years in the Navy Richard went to work for Kingston Conley where he met the love of his life Doris.  They married June 29, 1947 and moved to South Plainfield and resided there until Richard retired in 1985. Richard and Doris then moved to Forked River where they spent many summers at their beach house.  They spent 63 wonderful years together until Doris’s passing on April 19, 2011. 

Richard was involved in everything! He was everybody’s friend! He was a volunteer fireman in South Plainfield, a member of the American Legion, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a councilman in South Plainfield from 1959 to 1964 and again from 1974 to 1976, he was Council President from1962 to 1964 and again from 1977 to 1978.  Richard was Mayor of South Plainfield from 1979 to 1982. He was on the Municipal Board of Utilities in Lacey Township for 25 years.  He also ran many political campaigns for Lacey Twp.  He was an Usher at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church of Forked River as well.

Richard was a fine gentleman! All who knew him loved him.  His family meant the world to him! His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the love of his life.  Richard’s beautiful blue eyes would light up like sparklers whenever he saw them. Richard left behind a legacy. He will be sadly missed. 

Richard is predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Kennedy; his stepmother, Julia Phelan Kennedy; brothers, John Kennedy and Thomas Phelan; sisters, Marie Kennedy, Agnes Kennedy Roman, Frances Phelan Heteji, Mary Phelan Wagner and Agnes Phelan.

Surviving are his sister Peggy Phelan Berry and her husband Alan Berry of Florida; brother-in-law Earl Gano Jr. of Oklahoma; son Richard of Forked River; son Bruce and wife Mary of Long Beach Island; daughter Kathy Woskey and husband Michael of Bridgewater.  Richard also leaves behind 9 loving grandchildren, Erin Salerno and husband Jeff, Valerie Pasquale and husband Michael, Tara Woskey, Heather Woskey and husband Craig Blum, Michael Woskey, Bruce Kennedy Jr. and wife Lauren, Tiana Kennedy, Matthew Woskey and Dane Kennedy.  Along with 5 great grandchildren, Arianna and Nicholas Salerno, Antonio and Vanessa Pasquale, and Carter Long.  And many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many, many friends!  He also leaves behind his cocker spaniel Molli and former daughter-in-law MaryAnn Kennedy Mokar and husband Ron, who he had monthly lunch dates with before they retired to South Carolina recently. 

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