Former Haverhill Fire Fighter Edward F. “Ted” Kennedy Jr. Dies

ATKINSON, N.H.–Former Haverhill Fire Fighter Edward F. “Ted” Kennedy Jr., 78, of Atkinson, formerly of Groveland, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Academy manor Nursing Home in Andover after a brief illness.

He was born in Groveland, August 18, 1936, son of Edward F. and Madelyn (Dorgan) Kennedy. He attended Groveland Public Schools and was a graduate of Perley High School in Georgetown, class of 1954.

Kennedy was employed as a Fire Fighter for the City of Haverhill retiring in 2001. He served the City for 35 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant. He began his career as a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Town of Groveland and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

As in his nature, Kennedy was all about giving back to community. He worked tirelessly as a volunteer and supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and as chairman of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. Retirement however was not in his vocabulary as he volunteered countless hours for seven years for the Plaistow Meals on Wheels Program.

Kennedy is survived by his former wife, Joanne (Ursano) Kennedy, of Bradford, nieces and nephews; Elizabeth “Bette” Gorski, of Groveland, Michael E. Simonds and his wife, Kathryn E. (Brent), of Haverhill, Michele M. Pankauski, of Salisbury, Patricia J. Simonds, of Haverhill, Peter Simonds and his wife, Debra, of Sandown, Colleen A. Simonds, of Haverhill, and Michael J. Ciarletta, of Haverhill, several grandnieces and grandnephews, and caregiver, Melissa Weymouth. He was predeceased by his sisters, Agnes M. Simonds, and Mary F. Ciarletta, nephews, Ralph “Buddy” Simonds, Edward “Bobby” Simonds, Barry W. Gorski, and Bruce Pankauski.

Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (route 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be Wednesday morning at 10 in the funeral home. Burial with Fire Fighter Honors will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Main St. Groveland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 East Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718.