Terrence "TJ" John Kennedy Obituary (1953 - 2025)

Born Apr 15, 1953, Terrence "TJ" John Kennedy attended Moon High School in Moon Township, PA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Terrence "tj" John Kennedy.

Graduation Year	Class of 1971
Date of Birth	Apr 15, 1953
Date of Passing	Jan 04, 2025
About	Terrence "TJ" John Kennedy, 71, departed this earthly life and peacefully entered into his next great adventure on January 4, 2025 at 1:44am following complications from Alzheimer's. Terrence was born on April 15, 1953 in Sewickley, PA to George Clark Kennedy and Charlotte Lucille Bowers. He was married to his loving wife, Valorie Ann Kennedy, for 42 years. Terrence was preceded in death by his parents, beautiful wife, and three brothers, George, Michael, and Daniel. Terrence spoke often about his love and longing for all those who departed too early before him and believed deeply they would be reunited in the next realm. He leaves behind his daughter, Nicole Ann Kennedy, and son-in-law Jonathan Sutcliffe. Terrence also leaves behind a son, Scott Kennedy. Terrence graduated from Moon Township High School in 1971 and attended North Carolina State University where he studied political science on a full athletic scholarship and enjoyed playing football in his position as offensive tackle with his team winning the 1973 Liberty Bowl. He was very proud of his athletic career and loved all team sports. He worked as a Production Supervisor for Hanover Foods in Hanover, PA until his early retirement in 2014. As a self-proclaimed "gentle giant" at six foot five, Terrence emanated kindness and cared deeply for all who crossed his path. As a younger man, he had kept a copy of Kipling's poem "If" in his wallet as a reminder to do better than the day before and strive for personal integrity. One of Terrence's favorite pastimes included enjoying a cold brewski while listening to his Motown favorites. He enjoyed history and often reminded "those who do not heed history are doomed to repeat it." He had a healthy interest in science fiction, believed in extraterrestrial life-perhaps residing deeply in the oceans- and enjoyed Twilight Zone marathons. He was a life-long Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates fan. He was emotionally moved by the Subaru commercials supporting the well-being of dogs. He loved animals and was deeply connected to Diesel, an unusually loyal rescued senior cat who predeceased him just a few months earlier. While he never ate a vegetable in his life, he loved tending to his garden and harvesting tomatoes and peppers throughout the summers. He was a very good and decent man who had faith in humanity and believed people are generally good. His long-standing holiday tradition was watching It's a Wonderful Life each Christmas Eve as he believed this one precious life truly is the greatest gift. Terrence's family would like to express gratitude toward the first floor team at Laurel Ridge Healthcare and toward Regional Hospice for their kindness and the authentic loving connections they developed with Terrence during his care. It is with great sadness, though also a deep gratitude and celebration of Terrence's life and impact, that the family would like to remind all that it is the fact that life ends that makes it so important. In lieu of flowers, Terrence would have wanted all to cherish their time on this earth. It passes quickly. His daughter would like to acknowledge her great fortune in not only having Terrence as a father but also as her best friend and greatest connection in this life. He will be deeply loved and missed forever, beyond measure. "All you can take with you is that which you have given away."