Charles Thomas Kennedy - Obituary

harles Thomas Kennedy, 92, a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living of Severna Park, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2018, in the presence and comfort of his family. Chuck was born on February 12, 1926, in Erie, PA to the late Charles and Beatrice (Graney) Kennedy and was the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Academy High School, Chuck served in the Army during World War II. He used the GI Bill to attend Gannon College and later pursued his Master’s in Government Affairs at Catholic University. He went on to forge a long and distinguished career at the National Security Agency including tours in Germany and England. In 1950 Chuck married the lovely and beautiful Betty Michaels, and together they enjoyed 67 years of love, adventure, and companionship. He was a voracious reader who consumed everything from fact to fiction. Chuck loved to play board games and cards and had a special knack for playing bridge. He enjoyed all sports and became a huge soccer fan after his stay in England. Above all, he had a passion for the mission of NSA spending a combined 45 years of government and private service dedicated to countering Russia’s challenge to the free world. Chuck loved his co-workers which he often referred to as his “NSA family” and was extremely proud of a particular initiative that resulted in one of the most successful collection operations of its time. In fact, his organization received a handwritten congratulatory note from President Reagan. For over thirty years, until the age of 80, he proudly served on the Tower Federal Credit Union serving the financial interests of the NSA Family. Much of his later years were spent tracking federal legislation as it related to credit unions and often meet with congressional leaders to offset the special interests of the commercial banking industry. He was viewed as a special confidant to TFCU’s President and forged meaningful relationships with the likes of Frank Fordham, Charles Nossick, and Michael Guidos. Chuck was liberal-minded and supported many social justice causes. He was extremely proud of his sibling Sister Mary Claire, who at 90 years of age is still actively engaged with combating human trafficking. Chuck marveled at his sister-in-law Jeanne and how she raised six young children after the early death of his brother Gordie. He often played bridge and enjoyed lively conversations with his brother Dick and sister Connie. Chuck never missed an opportunity to play pinochle and engage in brotherly bantering with Jon, Gordie, and Bill. Chuck is survived by four children, Chuck (Maria Chaput), Jeff (Suzie) Kennedy, Kathy (Jim) Delio and Gail Kennedy; two sisters, Connie Monahan and Sister Mary Claire Kennedy and one brother, Jon Kennedy; six grandchildren, Chuck, Bob, Jennifer, Christopher, Jeffrey and Ronnie; and four great-grandchildren, Abby, Sullivan, Harrison and Rylee. He is now in union with his beloved wife Betty; his parents Charlie and Bee Kennedy; three brothers Bill, Dick, and Gordie; a brother-in-law Micky; and two sisters-in-law Jean and Jeanne. Friends are invited to celebrate Chuck’s life with his family from 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, July 15, at the Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 16 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD. Burial will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/donate), Stella Maris (www.stellamaris.org/giving-to-stella-maris/) or Heartland Hospice (https://heartlandhospicefund.org/). Online condolences and tributes may be offered by visiting the link.