Joseph A. Kennedy

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph A. Kennedy, 96, of Aurora, CO passed away October 14, 2018.

Joseph was born October 16, 1921 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, the son of William and Katherine (Greve) Kennedy. He was a graduate of North Attleboro High School. On February 14, 1953 Joseph married Virginia Bogolea in Okinawa, Japan.

Joseph served 30 years in the US Air Force, starting in WWII with the Army Air Corps as a fighter pilot instructor to Aviation Cadets in their graduate school for single engine fighters. Among his many continuing assignments during his military career, he served in Okinawa during the Korean War, and in South Korea during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service during the Korean War as an aircraft controller with the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. He was able to save a bomber and crew that was lost, low on fuel, and off course while returning from a bombing mission in North Korea. He vectored the aircraft by dead reckoning and guided the bomber to the airport at the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, ensuring a safe landing. Joseph retired from service with the Air Force, 26th Air Division in July 1971 at Hancock Field, in North Syracuse, New York.

An aspiring artist during his years in the Air Force, he became a watercolor artist, and created a business from that hobby. For the next 30 years, he traveled extensively throughout the United States with The Master Artist Touring Association, exhibiting his paintings in shopping malls from Florida to Maine on the east coast, then later the mid-west and the mountains states, finally ending in 2006. He retired from his 2nd career as an artist with many awards! His sales included buyers from many countries as well as US corporations.

In his final years, he enjoyed traveling extensively with his family. In addition, he was a favorite WWII veteran at the annual 1940's WWII Ball, which is held every year at the Boulder County Airport. He could "cut a rug", dancing the jitterbug of the 1940's like it was yesterday!

Joseph is survived by his children, Kathleen Kennedy (Tom Loveless), Michael Kennedy, and Denise Kennedy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Kennedy; parents, William and Katherine Kennedy; sister, Mary Kennedy; and brother, Paul Kennedy (Lois Kennedy).

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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