Benjamin Owen Kennedy II 10.29.1956- 12.31.18
Ben story began 10.29.56 while his mom Dorothy Mae Kennedy watched Elvis and his father Benjamin Owen Kennedy was home from a B&O railroad run. Born in New Castle Pennsylvania, he spent his childhood playing neighborhood football, and collecting pop bottles and returning them for deposit money. In Junior High, he joined New Castle’s Red Hurricanes band as an amazing drummer. He attended Laurence County Vo-tech, where he studied carpentry, and met the love of his life Melanie Peterson, a cosmetology teacher. In 1976 he married her; and with a tent and two chairs they traveled to Federal Heights, Colorado. This is where he joined the Federal Heights fire department, became an EMT, and an engineer. They then moved their children to Bailey Colorado and the story continued. Ben Kennedy, a retired firefighter, foodie, accomplished traveler, NASCAR fan, and professional Castaway Cay beach chair potato, best deal maker, and best dad to over 100 foster children. Part time he serviced many schools, camps, ski areas, and restaurants with commercial chemicals and dishwasher repairs. He was known to many of his customers as the guy with all the answers. In his travels he was a western Pennsylvania food coinsure of Bills hot dog chili, Jameson’s chocolate, Augustine’s pizza, and New Model bakery baked goods. He loved NASCAR races, and attended many around the United States. With is 1980 Jeep CJ-5, he enjoyed push starting midget and sprint cars at Colorado National Speedway and Pikes Peak International Raceway. He loved his 1970’s Chevelle, which he was in the process of restoring, since he totaled his in 1974. His 2002 Dale Earnhardt Monte Carlo was a show stopper and car show winner. His years in fire service included Colorado State Chairman of the MDA Fill the boot state telethon (he always was a ham for the camera!) He organized 53 fire departments to participate in Fill the boot to benefit MDA on their local street corners. He always put his wife, Melanie, in the sparky dog suit! He created a loving spirit and well…semi normal family. Loved ones that will miss him are his Wife Melanie and his children, Benji, Sharon, son-in- law Hoa, Amanda, James, Laurie, son-in- law TJ, Angel, son-in- law James, Monita, Seth, and daughter-in-law Robin, Sister Shirley Leishman, from west Middlesex Pennsylvania, Brother Jay Kennedy, from El Paso, Texas, and Sister Sharon Ross, from Volant Pennsylvania. His beautiful grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Angel, Damien, Helana, Hendric, Tylor, and soon arriving Grant Owen, and a new summer bundle of joy. Loved ones who cleared the path for Ben are his Father Benjamin O. Kennedy, Mother Dorothy Mae Kennedy. So the story goes on until we see our dad, papa, English grandpa, and honey again.
We love you and dearly miss you. We know god called you home early from hear, but we knew you where needed in heaven.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Benjamin Owen Kennedy memorial fund at Bank of the west.
Services held 1.25.19 at Shepard of the Rockies Lutheran church in Bailey Colorado at 11:30am with a reception following.
Platte Canyon Fire Department Engine 2 pump truck, which Ben could make miracles happen with, will then bring Ben home to his final resting place at 93 Ranchettes Road.
