Sam J. Kennedy

Sam J. Kennedy passed away peacefully at his home Friday April 25th, a day after his seventy-fourth birthday, surrounded by loved ones. Beloved husband of Elaine. Loving father of Hugh (Nicole Michaud) Kennedy, Orin (Megan McLaughlin) Kennedy, Monica (Rachel Freund) Kennedy, Heather (Jason) Johnson, and Lauren (Spencer Schroer) Yagiela. Proud grandfather of Cleophee, Aidan, Caitlin, Claire, Avery, Elliot, Zachary, and Carter. Dear brother of Alexis (Steven) Blomfield, Timothy (Kimberly) Kennedy, and Dennis Kennedy. Loving uncle of Joseph Kennedy, Pamela (Adam) Medjesi, and Douglas Blomfield. Dear friend of Judy Wernette. He preceded in death by his parents, John “Jack” Kennedy and Marie Scherer Kennedy, and his twin brother, Christopher Kennedy. Sam helped raise three children, and was a doting grandfather to his eight grandchildren. He led a life of service; as a Boy Scout, educator, development director for several educational institutions, school board president, and dedicated Rotarian. He used his passion for worthy causes to inspire and connect people and organizations around the world. An avid outdoorsman and lifelong Michigander, he enjoyed camping, sailing and hiking with his family and friends. He traveled the world, vaccinated children against polio in Africa, visited Denali, drove a station wagon (and camper) up Pike's Peak, and would never admit to having gotten lost. Sam wove his twin brother's name into the names of his sons, a reflection of the profound impact that his twin's death at a very young age had throughout his life. His father's love of the automobile led to an enduring relationship with a long line of practical and collectible classic cars between Sam and his siblings. Sam loved science, music, the magic of the cinema, theatre, irreverent wit, and the verse of Robert Service. Visitation Tuesday, April 29th from 3 PM until 9 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. Rosary service Tuesday at 7 PM. In state Wednesday April 30th from 10 AM until the 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth. Memorial contributions may be made to Fisher House Michigan, PO Box 130466, Ann Arbor, MI 48113, or to Kevin’s Song, 30425 Stephenson Hwy., Madison Heights, MI 48071. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Sam J. Kennedy

April 24, 1951 - April 25, 2025