Boualem Bousseloub

time. Following the unconscionable death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020, John felt the Pasadena City Council might be more receptive to the idea. The oversight committee became a reality in 2021.

The sister city in Africa and the oversight commission in place, John told me he wanted to use his third and final term in office to ensure the construction of 3,000 affordable housing units in Pasadena as his legacy.

John was prolific intellectually, solid spiritually, and a bon vivant. He was an imaginative thinker and a practical one who wanted ideas transcribed into the reality of life. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, he partnered with business owners and corporations to supply turkeys and hams to members of our community –about 1,000 turkeys this past year. At Christmastime also, he hosted a joyful celebration at the Central Library.

Three years ago, John and I started walking together through the Arroyo, all the way to Devil’s Gate Dam. Along the way, John would look for golf balls hit out of bounds, and we started a game to see who could find the most balls. Later, John told me that the collection of balls had served to finance children’s access to golf. He had found a way of turning our silly game into a tool to help underserved kids. We recommitted to the game with renewed passion!

John Kennedy was not a politician in the traditional meaning. During our walks and discussions, we had agreed upon a definition of an elected official: one providing his/ her constituents all the necessities for a decent life, including safety and diversity of opinion. John was a political man – a man of the people – who cared deeply about his community and serving it with respect and kindness. His education in International Relations and his instinct for diplomacy as well as his love of travel to learn from cultures made John a Citizen of the World.

Working with John was an incomparable privilege. It allowed me to witness his unrelenting determination to balance equity with the inequities of our polarized world.

My brother John Jackson Kennedy was a leader whose influence and vision appears only once in a generation.

Unfortunately, we know your pain too well. We pray that joyful memories will help ease your aching hearts.

This journey we all must travel privately, however God has blessed the Kennedy family with a tender bond and the support of loving, caring friends to comfort you.

John regularly shared inspirational verses with us. This one arrived on December 26, 2020, which feels

Brenda and Bill Galloway

fitting today as we continue to struggle with the passing of John: Joshua 1:9 This is my command –be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Over the years we had countless interactions with John. We first met John when he was attending USC. We were very proud of him as he pursued his dreams and goals. He was energetic, positive, and hopeful. Years later, we reconnected when John became President of the NAACP – what an accomplishment for this young man! For several years, the NAACP held their annual membership drive at our home on Columbia Street. With affectionate pride, we observed John’s magnetism as he spoke to the gathering of community members.

Throughout John’s career, his passion and commitment to our community was evident – never failing to use his strong voice for those who felt they had no voice –whether it was holiday meals, health care or affordable housing, John walked the walk. He will forever remain in our hearts and memories for his impact on the lives of others.

Carolyn & Albert West

We all know John’s role as a City official and his commitment to the community, but what really defines John for us was his humanity, his thoughtfulness, and his caring heart. He never missed an opportunity to send us prayers, inspirational messages and just “check in” on us. He was a good man through and through and we were so proud and honored to know him.

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED: Dear Lena, Sorry I missed your touching call. Maria and I appreciate you taking time out to reach out to us during this terrible time. We loved John and we will certainly miss him. – Terry Tornek

Bruce Kenoly

I knew John for 35 years. I met John at Robinson Park Recreation Center. We played basketball there and later we began playing racquetball at the Pasadena Athletic Club.

The Pasadena Athletic Club was a place where people from the City of Pasadena played racquetball, basketball, swam, played tennis and lounged. I met different people like Chief of Police Jerry Oliver who became one of John‘s best friends. John became my best friend and my son‘s Tyrell Kenoly’s godfather.

I worked for the City of Pasadena’s Finance Department when John worked for the city manager and sometimes we went to lunch together. It seemed like we became closer and closer. John was born to work for the community and for the City of Pasadena and I told him, someday he would become mayor or become a councilmember and he would be so busy that I wouldn’t be able to see him as much. John would come over my house on Sundays and have dinner and I would make oxtails, a roast, or neck bones with cornbread, oh, how we loved to eat!

John was always busy helping people whether it was helping them find a job or in their business endeavors or just helping to get their life in order. I learned a lot from John, he was an inspiring person. He taught me how to be a better person. He was there for me when I needed him. He gave me good advice and an ear when I needed to talk. This influenced John’s life and helped him understand people better too.

John always stayed in touch with me and that’s why it’s even hard today because I called him from time to time to see how he was doing and now my friend has gone to heaven.