E. Richard Kennedy, 74, of Spring Lake and Vero Beach, Florida died on Friday, April 21, 2017, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Paterson to the late Edmund and Helen Kennedy, Richard attended Don Bosco Prep, Villanova University and went on to earn his law degree at Seton Hall University. As anyone that knew him can attest, he was a passionate Villanova Wildcats basketball fan.
A fiercely dedicated and accomplished attorney, Richard was the founding partner of Kennedy, Wronko, Kennedy and a maverick in the community association and construction defect litigation industry. Richard was a trial attorney for his entire career and a certified civil trial attorney since 1982, the charter year for trial certification. He has written and lectured both nationally and internationally for the American Bar Association, Community Association Institute, N.J.I.C.L.E. and other professional organizations. He served in a variety of co-chair positions for the American Bar Association, including the Section of Litigation. Richard was a member of the Community Association Institute, a charter member of its College of Community Association Lawyers having served as its Dean. Richard served in capacities too numerous to list, and received the Distinguished Service Award and the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award. He was elected to the Best Attorneys in America for many years and was a co-founder of the American Academy for Alternate Dispute Resolution, Litigation Council of America. In addition, he was a widely respected mediator, having been trained at Harvard Law School and N.J.I.C.L.E.
Richard and his wife Lauren enjoyed life at the shore, travelling, and their dogs. He especially liked the West Coast of Ireland. Since 1994, they have been members of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, having enjoyed many fine evenings of food and wine with close friends.
He leaves his wife Lauren (Tuite), son Richard E. Kennedy & wife Dawn, daughter Karyn Kennedy Branco & husband Carl, sister E. Lucey Blum & husband Neal, aunt Doris Senica, grandchildren Ashley, Alexis, Megan and Carlos, his nephew Shane Blum & wife Tracey, his niece Wendy Graybush & husband Marc, and his goddaughter Katrina Fletcher. He leaves many close and cherished friends.
Visitation will be at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, Wall, on Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 2-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake, on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 10:30am. Entombment to follow at St. Anne Cemetery,1610 Allenwood Rd., Wall Township, NJ 07719.
Anyone wishing to make donations in Richard's memory are encouraged to donate to the American Heart Association and St. Hubert's Animal Rescue Center, 575 Woodland Ave., Madison, NJ 07940.