Richard Hancock Kennedy, age 94, passed peacefully at his home on December 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Richard, Dick to his friends and family, lived and worked in Holyoke, MA his entire life. He married the love of his life, Janet Smith Wilson, in 1954. Together they raised 4 children. A devoted family man, he and Janet shared their love of the beach and cats. The family spent every summer at Point O’Woods beach. He loved boating, taking his family and friends for rides on Long Island Sound, water skiing and tubing. He also enjoyed working with his hands. A skilled carpenter, he and Janet renovated their homes in Holyoke and Point O’ Woods as well as various projects on their children’s homes. Dick had a passion for cars and could tell you about each one he owned. He loved Chevrolets, in particular Corvettes. In 1959 he joined the United Stock Car Racing Club. He located a 1937 Chevy Coupe on a farm near Framingham, bought it and brought it back to Holyoke. He and his crew turned the old Welch's Dairy buildings into their race shop. His car was number 12 and was sponsored by Reardon’s Garage. He raced at Riverside Park Speedway for 2 years and in his words “It was a short but amazing experience and my ‘love affair’ with Chevrolet automobiles and race cars still continues.” Dick had a strong work ethic that started with a paper route and spent his teenage years working at Welch’s Dairy and Magri’s Store. His career began at PJ Kennedy & Co where he learned Drafting. In 1965 he established Kennco Associates, a successful architectural and structural design firm. They designed and renovated many buildings in Central and Western MA and upstate New York. In 1990 he left Kennco to his son Rick’s capable ownership and joined the Holyoke Housing Authority as Director of Modernization. He worked on implementing the renovation and updating housing apartments throughout the city, learning the process of applying for grant money, both state and federal to do that much needed modernization work. He retired from the Housing Authority as Assistant Executive Director for Facilities on St. Patrick’s Day in the year 2000. Dick was a Navy Veteran; he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. He leaves behind his sister Joanne Kennedy Russell of Bowie, MD, three daughters, Susan Kennedy of Holyoke, MA, Karen K Galvin (John) of Milton, MA, and Margo K Harney (Jack) of West Roxbury, MA, ten Grandchildren, and nine Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Janet, son Richard W. Kennedy, and grandson Peter L. Rigali. A private burial at Point O' Woods Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held at the family's convenience. In recognition for his love for animals especially cats, the family requests that in lieu of trees or flowers, donations can be made to the Gifford Cat Shelter, Brighton, MA https://www.giffordcatshelter.org/donate