LEO JOSEPH KENNEDY

Leo Joseph Kennedy, 83, of Duluth, formerly of Rice Lake, Wis., died Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

Leo was born Sept. 7, 1926 in Rice Lake, Wis., to Bernard and Mary (Enders) Kennedy. Upon the death of his mother at an early age, he was semi-adopted by his uncle and aunt, Michael and Rose Parks and was raised in Minneapolis.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and received his high school diploma during enlistment and received education in electrical engineering.

He served in the South Pacific and Alaska aboard the US destroyer Escot, the NTS Farragut Idaho, USS Walter Wann, USS Richard W. Suesens, USS Chewaucan and at the US Naval Rec Station, Seattle, Wash.

After discharge he returned to Rice Lake and worked for the telephone

company. He later tended bar at Lehman's Supper Club. He married Delores

Ryan in Rice Lake, Wis., on Aug. 7, 1948. In 1955 they moved to Duluth, with their son, Tom. Leo was employed by the DM&IR Railroad as an electrical engineer, retiring in 1987.

Leo enjoyed snowmobiling and boating. He was the 1st President of the Duluth Association of Snowmobile Clubs and served for many years. He was instrumental in getting the city snowmobile trail to join with the state trail. He also taught snowmobile safety training for 16 years. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and inspected boats for safety. He belonged to the Duluth Power Squadron, the 242 Yacht Club, was a charter member of the Drifttoppers Snowmobile Club, the Loyal Order of the Moose, VFW American Legion and was a lifelong member of the Elks.

He won numerous awards for superior performance in providing information to the charting and geodetic maintenance programs of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; brothers Robert, Duane, John; sisters, Marie, Alta and Genevieve.

He is survived by: his wife, Delores "DeDe" of Duluth; one son, Thomas (Kathy) Kennedy also of Duluth; two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICES: were Friday, March 12, 2010 in Jarocki-Skinner Funeral Home in Rice Lake, Wis., with Father Jim Powers officiating. Burial in Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.