Pasadena Sister Cities Committee

On behalf of the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee members in Pasadena and in our sister cities around the world, the board expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences as we mourn the loss of Councilmember, the Honorable John J. Kennedy, a giant of a man with a great love for God, family, our City and community. He was an ardent supporter of the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee due to his experience of participating in a student exchange when he was young. He encouraged the youth to take every opportunity to do the same.

Having visited our sister cities in China (2014) and Armenia (2017), he did not hesitate to keep the faith and dedicated work in establishing a sister city on the continent of Africa. He led an exploratory trip to Senegal in 2018, and upon the delegation’s return, 20 years of challenges, rejections and obstacles slowly dissipated as the City of Pasadena and its citizens spoke loudly in support of Dakar Plateau, Senegal becoming our latest sister city.

Honorable John J. Kennedy made an impact with every human he met along his path as he reassured them of their strengths and purpose to do good, be good, and believe in good. As a committee, we had the honor of being in his presence, working with him and basking in the light he shined on the many projects that with his powerful grace were brought to fruition.

May his memory be a blessing.

Sincerely,

Taleen Hindoyan

Pasadena Heritage is truly honored and will never forget that one of John’s last public appearances was at our grand opening celebration at the historic Blinn House on May 22, 2022 where he beautifully welcomed Pasadena Heritage to his council district, and to wish us well in our new home. What a wonderful gesture that was, and so typical of John to be welcoming, inclusive and supportive of people and institutions where he found value and good intention.

John was a deep believer in the importance of history and saw historic places as touchstones of our

Pasadena Heritage

shared past. He would not let us forget that those less privileged and people of color were too often those whose homes and businesses were dis regarded or taken by redevelopment to build a freeway or new commercial buildings. He was determined that the new Lincoln Properties project on the Parsons site include a dignified remembrance that illuminated the site’s history. Hundreds turned out to applaud the dedication of the public art project that is dedicated to the people who lived and worked there in times past.

John supported the work of Pasadena Heritage, but also occasionally called us to task if he thought we weren’t doing enough. We worked even harder because he expected more. By asking the best of people, he encouraged them to rise, to achieve more, and to be better. That was one of John’s many gifts. An eloquent and passionate public speaker, he commanded attention. When the spotlight was upon him, it wasn’t for his own sake, it was for a cause he believed in, the good he wanted to see done, and the city he loved and championed in his public service and in his very heart. John will be truly missed and remembered as a lover of history who lent his voice and his will to our cause.

Susan N. Mossman Executive Director Pasadena Heritage

LOVELY E-MAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED:

Dearest Lena, John was someone we loved as family through the years! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and we will keep you lifted up in prayer! God’s blessings always! Lots of Love, Bettye and Hal Walker

Playhouse Village Association

John was my councilperson, and I met him attending his community meetings. I admired him and looked forward to working with him in his new term. He was a vital part of the fabric of this community! He had such an interesting way of expressing himself – so planned and methodical – and I always listened because I knew he would tie everything together with an important point at the end. I appreciated the town hall he convened during Covid with the Police Chief and the Chief’s department heads. It was an important and smart event. It was clear he had carefully thought about this event and its impact.

John was a champion for Playhouse Village and eagerly advocated for our new Playhouse Village Park. As Chair of the Playhouse Village Association Board of Directors, I had the honor of breaking ground with John on the new park. He generously presented all our Board members with beautiful certificates to recognize our work on the park, but he was the guy who made it happen at City Hall – and, more recently, advocated for our Village in naming the park. The park will open soon and John’s absence will be felt by all, but he will be there in spirit.

I always counted on John to thoughtfully consider Council issues and I knew his decisions were made with integrity. I loved his smile and enthusiasm. He will be sorely missed by Pasadena and especially Playhouse Village.

Marjorie Lindbeck

Union Station Homeless Services

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to John Kennedy.

John was a stalwart champion of the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. He fought tirelessly for justice for all people, no matter their color, race, economic status or country of origin. He was a man of deep conviction and compassion who stood for what was right, not always what was popular or expedient. John knew the importance of communityof safe housing for all, of opportunities for all and that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion – and most importantly, with justice.

We have lost a beloved member of our community and a champion who stood firm and tall for all those he served. He will live on in the justice he fought for, the community he helped build and above all, in the people he supported and loved.

Thank you John Kennedy. You were a giant among men. I personally, and all of us at Union Station Homeless Services, are proud and honored to have known you and worked with you.

We will miss you – but we will work to continue the amazing legacy you have left us.

Anne Miskey CEO

Shepherd’s Door

I want to share my love for John, your dear brother. I had the privilege to meet John and have a personal conversation with him at the Shepherd’s Door Christmas Holiday Party in 2019. I will never forget that smile when he entered the room. We were so glad to see him; you would have thought it was President Barack Obama!

The fact that he took the time to support Shepherd’s Door meant a lot to us. He talked to my daughter Tunisia and me for about 45 minutes. He asked us how he could help us. We gave him our thoughts, concerns, and ideas. As a result of our meeting with Mr. Kennedy, he gave us a list of individuals to contact and let them know he referred us. The rest is history. We were sprinkled with his magic touch. And, Shepherd’s Door was blessed because of those referrals from John; he was so pleased.

He believed in us and our work we provide to our community. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to meet such a great man of valor! Every time I saw John, he had that beautiful smile.

He had a genuine heart and made you feel comfortable and special when you were in his presence. His shoes will never be filled; nevertheless, his legacy will live on in Pasadena in those who truly have John’s spirit. He was a loving person. Like so many others who will feel his absence, I will miss him, but I will continue to do God’s work as John did by showing love and compassion and by helping others.

Lena, May God’s peace rest upon you and your family and know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. John’s spirit lives on! Praying for you and the family! God Bless!

Linda Offray

John was a true friend and supporter of Shepherd’s Door. Every time I called on him for his support and guidance, he answered. He always remembered me EVERY holiday – Mother’s Day as well as others. He always kept in touch and expressed his support for everything I have done.

John always took the time to reach out to me to personally invite me to anything he was a part of, and I always made it a point to show up when I could the same way he showed up for us when we call him for support.

I felt proud that someone of his stature and respect valued me as a constituent in his district and valued me as an overall human.

John can NEVER be replaced; no one can ever come close to embodying what John contributed to our community.

I will miss him.

I am praying for you and your family. I pray that God will grant you peace in knowing his body is not physically with us on this earth anymore, but he will continue his work as one of God’s angels in heaven.

Lots of love, Tunisia Offray

REFLECTIONS ON THE HONORABLE JOHN J. KENNEDY

David Eads, Executive Director & CEO, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to share my reflections I met John in early 2017 when I assumed my role at the Tournament of Roses John was a colleague of mine as the Tournament works closely with the Pasadena City Council to host the annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena.

For me, John was a trusted colleague, advisor and confidant. I reached out to meet with John when I took over as Executive Director and CEO of the Tournament of Roses.

In our first meeting, John was candid and forthright on his thoughts about the Tournament and our New Year’s Day activities, but he understood the history and importance of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game and wanted to support me in whatever way he could to ensure the success of these Pasadena legacies. He was always willing to share his thoughts and insights anytime I called him for advice.

John was never hesitant to call me when he had an idea or needed assistance on a project he was working on. John was passionate about supporting his community and would reach out to me every year for assistance with his annual holiday turkey giveaway. He believed everyone should have the right to celebrate the holidays, and what better way than with a home cooked turkey.

John was also passionate about the work of the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee, and he was proud to participate in the delegation with Mayor Tornek to Pasadena’s newest Sister City, Dakar Plateau – Dakar, Senegal.

John contacted me because he wanted to take something special on the trip that really represented the heart and soul of Pasadena, and what better item could he take than something representing the Rose Parade. I was happy to pull together gifts from the Tournament of Roses that conveyed a special sentiment of the Rose Parade and our global New Year’s celebration.

And finally, despite his very busy schedule, John always found time to attend Tournament events. When we launched our Dia de los Muertos Art Competition, John stepped up and provided the initial funding for our scholarship awards. He also attended the awards event every year, where he talked and interacted with the students to let them know that they could all be successful in whatever endeavor they chose to pursue. He would annually attend our Royal Court events and inspire the court members when he talked about his life and the path that led him to public service. John was an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with.

John … we will miss you greatly…but know that you are in the company of angels and will never be forgotten.

Heritage Square

I met John quite a few years ago while I was working on a housing project. I knew from that day that I had not only made a friend, but also met a person who believed in the need to care about others and who profoundly cared. How could you not have adored this man? He was a great human, a great man, and a great friend. I can only imagine what it must have been like to grow up in the Kennedy household that was filled with love and grace. His love and devotion for his community was incomparable. I’m so honored that I got to know John, even though it was late in life. The stories he shared made me feel as if I knew him a lifetime. I will miss him terribly. I will miss his phone calls that told me I needed to help a friend of his. God only knows that just about everyone that met John became his friend. He was so loved and respected.

My heart is forever broken, but I have in this broken heart of mine some beautiful memories of John and conversations we had. When I was down about something, he would tell me to hold my head up and get through it. He would make surprise visits to my office, and I don’t know how or why, but they were always at the perfect time. It was as if he knew I needed him there that day at that minute. Everything was better with him in the room. Nobody smiled like him; it was contagious. So John, for you, I will always hold my head up high, I will always see you smiling down from heaven, and I will always and forever hold you in my heart. Until we meet again…

Donna Hess Senior Property Manager Heritage Square