Dr. Greta Mandell

Prayer For John

May your soul lie peacefully resting, knowing the work you’ve done; Striving for greatness, Providing for family and the community, Caring for family and the community, Laying bare inequities, Championing justice and inclusion. Yes, knowing the work you’ve done to Raise us all, Praise us all, Love us all, each and every one; We, knowing the work you’ve done harvesting the past for wisdom and strength;

Tending the present with dedication, focus and precision;

Planting seeds for a future hoped for, a future where all may rise to their highest, do their best, give their most to the family of man, because one thing is certain, John, we all basked in the luxurious warmth of your love and kindness; and knowing the work you’ve done, we all walk a little taller, a little straighter. Your dedication to truth, of which there is but one and that truth is love, Impel all who knew you to carry hope into the future borne on the seeds of love, kindness, wisdom and intelligence you sowed. The work you’ve done has been prodigious, Herculean, life-changing and affirming. So many have drunk from the well of your selfless love, laughter, strength and kindness. Rest well, my friend, for you have worked long and hard in service to us and God. We love you and shall never forget you. Rest well, my friend, rest well. We here will continue ensuring none of your work was done in vain.

May the One Great Spirit of Love keep us all bound to each other in the love that is our true nature.

Amen

Jay Berger

I met John when he was applying to USC and I was the Director of Admissions. I served as a mentor to him for all things university related. When he returned to Pasadena after Howard Law School, we would get together for breakfast or lunch and we talked more about career things as well as family. By now, I was a partner in an executive search firm. Most importantly, our relationship was changing from a mentor/mentee to a friendship. John loved that our family bought the old Hutch’s Barbecue building and he was very interested in our renovation project. We finally moved there in January 2022. John came over in March for a tour of the facility and we had a fun lunch discussing a wide range of topics.

John was the consummate relationship builder and connector. He really cared about people and many of our conversations were about social justice issues. I was shocked when I learned of his passing. I miss my friend of 45 years and my wife Meta and I grieve along with his family and friends. In many ways. Although he is no longer with us in person, he has left a strong legacy that the Kennedy family can be very proud.