Obituary of E. Stanton Kennedy

E. Stanton Kennedy died peacefully on April 10 , 2018 at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Augusta. Stan was born in Schenectady, New York on February 2, 1928, the son and only child of William and Julia Stanton Kennedy. He grew up and lived most of his life in Bridgeport and surrounding communities. He was a proud graduate of Fairfield Prep as well as the College of the Holy Cross and University of Connecticut Law School. Upon completion of his studies, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Judge Advocate General’s Office.

While in the service he married his first wife and mother of his children, Patricia Dowd Kennedy, who predeceased him. When they returned to Bridgeport, Stan entered private practice and formed the law firm of Curran, Kennedy and Lyddy in Bridgeport. In time, his partners became Bridgeport Mayor Hugh J. Curran and Probate Judge Raymond Lyddy . Their firm was active and prominent in Bridgeport Democratic politics. Meanwhile Stan personally served on and led the Bridgeport Board of Education. He later formed other partnerships with several prominent and respected local attorneys.

Stan knew achievement as well as difficulties. The latter of those led him to co-found Malta Prison Volunteers of Ct. in 2002 which was later to become the Malta Justice Initiative and is today the leading Criminal Justice Reform advocacy organization in the state. His group was also the motivating agency behind  what became the Malta Prison Ministry Apostolate. That organization within the Order of Malta is currently performing works of Prison Ministry in 37 U.S. states and 5 foreign countries.

Here in the Bridgeport area, Stan was one of the five founding members of what became known as the Fairfield Prep Latin Scholars. Initially, just a small group of former students of the legendary Reverend Thomas Murphy, S.J., they would gather once a year for a luncheon of good cheer and camaraderie. It has now grown to a greatly anticipated attended annual event with a large number of attendees from all sectors of Prep Alumni.  

Stan’s recent move to Augusta enabled him to live with and enjoy the tender care and companionship of his daughter, Beth, for which he was most deeply appreciative. He is survived by his wife, Nancy  Kennedy, of Hawthorn, New Jersey, as well as his daughter Patricia Kennedy Canavan and son-in-law Thomas, of the island of Flores in the Azores and Marabeth Kennedy of Augusta, Maine.

His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on June 15th, Friday at 11 AM in the Xavier Chapel of Fairfield Prep with Father Thomas Simisky, S.J. and Father Charles Allen, S.J. officiating. Stan’s Family requests that you might direct memorial donations either to: Fairfield College Preparatory School, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 or Malta Justice Initiative, P.O. Box # 481, Southport, CT 06890. For travel directions, or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com