Michael James Kennedy

Michael “Mike” James Kennedy went home peacefully to God early Sunday morning, October 27, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Mike was born in Parma, Ohio, on September 14, 1948, the third of seven, and first-born son to Jim and Martha Kennedy. The family moved several times across the Midwest before finding their permanent roots on Cheltenham Road in Toledo, Ohio, where Mike and his siblings attended elementary school at their home Catholic parish of St. Pius X. He went on to St. Francis de Sales High School (Class of 1966) where he made lifelong friendships and memories. After a brief stint at John Carroll University, where he famously hitchhiked home to meet his newborn sister, Mike attended the University of Toledo (Class of 1971). He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, the Student Body Council, and the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance, and was commissioned as an officer in the Adjutant General’s Corps of the United States Army, where he was attached to the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He eventually rose to the rank of Captain, and the impact of his friendships and experiences during his service showed in his reverence and respect for other servicemen and women his entire life.

Early in 1974, he met the love of his life, Debra Jean (Debbie) Gecowetts. They were married on June 15 of that year, and lived briefly in Illinois before Mike joined the family business back in Ohio, taking over for his father after his death in 1981. Mike ran The Kennedy Organization for over forty years from locations in Toledo and Maumee, and was well respected within his industry. He and Debbie established their roots first in Delta, and eventually Swanton, where they raised their four children and lived out the rest of his days. Mike was an active parishioner of St. Richard’s Catholic Church for fifty years, a lifelong member of several organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was an avid supporter of his community, a longtime coach of many youth sports, a lover of the outdoors and animals, and a best friend and neighbor to so many who knew him. In his later years, his favorite activities included anything involving family and friends, spending time with and supporting his many grandkids in their activities, and helping the people he loved in any way he could. His greatest gift was his ability to develop special relationships with the people he cared about – each was unique and precious to him. He fought prostate cancer with dignity and faith for 10 years, and lived those remaining years to the fullest.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, his sisters Marti Jo Smith, Kathleen Bodmer, Pat (Al) Wooster, Peg (Butch) Mitchell, brother Jim (Pam) Kennedy, and his cherished baby sister Mary Colleen (Rick) Woods. His legacy is carried on by his children Patrick (Shannon) Kennedy, Andrew (Jessica) Kennedy, Meghann (Brad) Bolbach, Tim (Taylor) Kennedy, and his most precious grandchildren: Delaney, Ashley, Cara, Courtney, Toby, Mackenzie, Peyton, Max, Reid, Sullivan, Sutton, Callaghan and Palmer, along with his many cousins, nieces and nephews whom all meant the world to him. He will be dearly missed by his loving dog Weesie and his many grand-dogs that adored him (and the treats he always kept on him), and he was joined in death by his grand-dog Willow, because he needed a companion for his daily walks. He lives on in the hearts and memories of so many friends that were and will always be family to him. He is preceded in death by his parents, his dear friend and brother-in-law Fred Bodmer, and so many friends and family that lived on lovingly through his life until his journey to Heaven. 

His family would like to thank all of Mike’s many friends, neighbors, fraternity brothers, and business associates that have reached out to lift up and support them through this difficult time – the stories, the laughter and the smiles are the way he would want to be remembered. Special thanks to his Cancer Care Team, and most importantly Mike’s “Cancer Cronies“ for caring for him and making these last several years possible. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be directed to St. Richard’s Catholic Parish in Swanton, or the U of M Rogel Cancer Center.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 4th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue Tuesday, November 5th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church in Swanton, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am, with Fr. Eric Culler presiding.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.