Rev. W. E. Kennedy
THE funeral takes place tomorrow of the Rev. William Edmund Kennedy, the retired Church of Ireland minister who died in Redburn Nursing Home, Ballynahinch, on August 27.
Mr. Kennedy, who was 90, will be interred in Donacloney Parish churchyard following a service at Roselawn Crematorium at 12 noon.
Mr. Kennedy was the rector of Ballyculter and Kilclief for 28 years up until his retirement in 1985.
Before coming to the Lecale area, which he loved, he had served in Seagoe Parish and at. St. Jude’s on the Ormeau Road, Belfast.
Reserved and quietly spoken, he was greatly admired and respected by parishioners and took a deep interest in parish affairs.
He was concerned for the welfare of all his parishioners, young and old, and was instrumental in the formation of a Scout troop in Ballyculter and Kilclief.
He was a keen local historian and contributed to several publications. For many years he was the Down editor of the Down and Dromore diocesan magazine.
Having been educated at Queen’s University, Belfast, and Trinity College, Dublin, he was extremely well read and spoke several languages, including Hebrew.
Following his retirement, he moved to Seaforde, but he maintained close connections with the Strangford, Kilclief and Ballyculter area.
Mr. Kennedy was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth, who died in 1972, and by a brother.