Joseph Martin Kennedy

Joseph Martin Kennedy

Beloved and devoted husband, father, brother and friend

Joseph M. Kennedy, “Rocker” to many of his closest friends, age 68, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017.  He is survived by his wife Mari, daughter Alyssa, sister and her husband, Patricia Kennedy and Adrian Gately, brother and his wife, Dr. James T. Kennedy and Lori, sister-in-laws Georgina Kennedy (wife of his brother John Kennedy, deceased), Dawn and Enrico Gatto, Luis and Carol Dominguez (his brother- and sister-in laws), nieces and nephews, John Wren, Elizabeth, Ashley, Matthew, Tara, Shawnee, Conor, Katie, Michael, Eileen, and  Micheal G., many dear friends.

Joe grew up in West New York, NJ and lived in Elizabeth and Lavallette, NJ, for the past 30 years. He graduated (a proud Blue Jay) from St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School, Manhattan College and New York Law School.

Joe was an accomplished attorney who had been a prosecutor and private practice litigator before his retirement.  Prior to his law career he was one of the proprietors of the “On Tap” in West New York.  His greatest legacy, however, is the devotion, constancy, and steadfastness to his family and lifelong friends.  

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home located at 582 Springfield Ave. Westfield, NJ. The Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Genevieve Church at 200 Monmouth Road in Elizabeth, NJ on May 31, 2017 at 10 am. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery 1100 East Broad St. Westfield, NJ.

Joe and his cardiologist had a special relationship and collaborated to negotiate through the medical system together.  Our family knows that this relationship kept Joe active and enjoying life for many years. Therefore, for those who wish to provide a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider a research program started to address issues dear to Joe’s cardiologist and his NYU colleagues.  It is the “Vulnerable Brain Project”, which aims to understand the neurochemistry which underlies many illnesses affecting many youth. The research is focused on understanding the neural circuitry and neurochemistry affecting neurobehavioral disorders like addiction, anorexia, and others.  Ultimately, the goal of the phased studies is to develop optimal, personalized recovery strategies for affected individuals.

Donations can be made out to NYU Medical Center; in the memo portion kindly write “Vulnerable Brain Project” in memory of Joe Kennedy; donations can be mailed to the office of:

William Slater, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Cardiology

NYU School of Medicine

530 First Ave, Skirball 9U

New York, New York 10016

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