James Gerard Kennedy Sr. (February 7, 1907 – December 24, 1997) aka James G. Kennedy, was the founder, president, and chairman of James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc. in New York City.[1][2]
James Gerard Kennedy Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Kennedy circa 1970-1980 | |
| Born | February 7, 1907 |
| Died | December 24, 1997 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Construction |
| Spouses | Antoinette Granato
(m. 1940–1942)
|
| Parent(s) | James Joseph Kennedy (1866-1926) Katherine Carr (1865-1951) |
Biography
editJames was born in 1907 in Harlem, New York City, the son of James Joseph Kennedy (1866-1926), a plasterer, and Katherine Carr (1865-1951). Both were immigrants from Ireland. His siblings include: Kathryn Kennedy (1897-1974) aka Sis Kennedy, who married Joseph O'Malley (1893-1985) who was the uncle of Walter Francis O'Malley (1903-1979), the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1950 to 1979; Mary Frances Kennedy (1898-1982); Josephine Kennedy (1899-1900) aka Sarah Kennedy; Thomas Kennedy (1901-1972); James Gerard Kennedy I (1902-1903); and Joseph Kennedy (1905-1983).[1] In 1920 the family was living at West 160th Street in Manhattan.[3]
He attended Townsend Harris High School and graduated in three years. He attended the Mechanical Institute in New York City. He then worked as a plasterer, as did his father. In 1935 he founded the eponymous James G. Kennedy & Co., Inc. He served during World War II with the Army Corps of Engineers. His first major renovation project was for Bankers Trust company for their building at 14 Wall Street.[1]
He married Antoinette Granato (1916-1942) around 1940 and she died of cancer in 1942 after being hospitalized for 2 months.[1] In 1991 his company began reconstruction of the Fifth Avenue headquarters of the American Irish Historical Society.[4]
Death
editJames died December 24, 1997, in Larchmont, New York.
References
edit- ^ a b c d "James G. Kennedy Sr". New York Times. December 27, 1997. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
At home on December 24, 1997. James G. Kennedy Sr., Chairman of the Board of James G. Kennedy & Co., Inc., began his career as a plasterer for the old Davis, Brown Company. He was born in Manhattan's Harlem and attended Townsend Harris High School.
- ^ "James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc". James G. Kennedy & Company, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
- ^ 1920 US census for Manhattan
- ^ "Renovation. American Irish Society". New York Times. November 24, 1991. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
The contractor was James G. Kennedy Company of Manhattan.