George has never been known as a strong academic achiever however, he made up for it in other ways.  At Royal Roads, he was captain of the swim team, which won the prestigious Claxton Cup in 1960.  On the military side of the house he was CWWO for the grad parade, which he thankfully reached without the encumbrance of supps.  No small feat, for a cadet who struggled with the “books”. 

Not destined to be an engineer, George joined a large group of mates in the newly formed ‘Gen Sci’ class at RMC and for some yet unknown reason was ‘asked’ in true military fashion to join Danny McLeod`s hockey team – with the new Constantine rink and coach, how could they lose?

 
George patrolled the right wing at Constantine for Danny McLeod.   Photo by  Gerry Locklin

(click on photo for larger picture)

This very time consuming exercise continued until Christmas exam results were published and since he was due to be married immediately following graduation, he had to leave the team to concentrate on getting his average above 50! Major McLeod took it all in stride and the Redmen managed to finish the season.   

This conscientious cadet managed to graduate on schedule as CSTO of the Frigate squadron.  A very talented group, which among other accomplishments that year, won the Drill Competition.  George is certain that his time in high school cadets and summers spent at the Royal Canadian School of Infantry contributed to that victory. 

Following graduation, 5571, spent most of the ensuing years in Petawawa with 2^nd Battalion Canadian Guards (which became 3 RCR in 1970) as an infantry officer until 1974.  When he wasn’t at Petawawa, he was back in Kingston - at the College, as Squadron Commander in Fort Haldimand.  He was also the Assistant to Director of Cadets for Military Training, referred to as ADCMT or the “right arm” of D Cadet in those days.  He also completed his “Foxhole U” training and was knee-deep in the planning of the College’s Centennial Year activities in 1976.  

One highlight of his first tour at RMC was coaching the RMC Intermediate Hockey Team in a game at Maple Leaf Gardens.  Major Danny McLeod, his former skipper, and who was still the RMC head coach was away with another commitment with the Senior Team.  We won’t mention the score but suffice to say, George went on to earn a great reputation as a General Manager.  Over his long career, he involved himself a great deal with base hockey teams.  In the early days he was a feisty winger who played tough at both ends of the rink.  As a General Manager, he was recognized by his players and opposing teams to be a very fair and the welfare & safety of his “troops” was always very evident.  He was a driving force behind the very successful Ontario Services League in the 1970s, which saw CFB teams from Uplands; Rockcliffe; Kingston; Petawawa; NDHQ and the RCMP all competed in what was in all likelihood the last real competitive Armed Forces League.  Base hockey programs thrived in that era because of the likes of Major George Kennedy.

MND, Barney Danson, appointed George Kennedy
to Military Advisory Board in 1977

In 1976, he was posted to Ottawa to learn French and remained there in the ADM (Per) world in both military and civilian jobs until he retired for the last time in 1994.  Notably, he was appointed as Secretary to the Minister’s Military Colleges Advisory Board for four rather tumultuous years for the Colleges from 1977 to 1981.  One who knows the history of those days will know that it was an interesting and challenging job.  The focus, of course, was the admittance of women to the military colleges.  Being the loyal officer that he was, he will not discuss “too much” what went on “behind the scenes” before the first 32 young lady cadets marched through the Memorial Arch, August 30^th 1980.  Aspiring authors planning on writing a book around that time period would be wise to consult him for his perspective. 

 

While working at NDHQ and living in Nepean, Mr. Volunteer, joined the Barrhaven Lions Club in 1980.  He maintained his memberships and stayed active with other various associations such as the Ex-Cadet Club, where he was the Ottawa Branch President, during 1986-87.  He is also active with the Canadian Guards Association where he helped organize and conduct the Regiment’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations in 2003.

Community Chairman, Lion George Kennedy (first on the left) was asked by a teacher from a local High School to provide a BBQ consisting of cooking sausages and hotdogs for up to 300 students during the school lunch hour.  It was one of the school's most successful year-end fun activities. 

This "never say no” kind of guy, also assists the Greater Nepean Chamber of Commerce and the Queensway-Carleton Hospital Foundation with their fundraising and community activities.  With the Lions, he has been a leader in the conduct of their annual Santa Claus Parade for the children of the old City of Nepean for the past number of years.  

A community minded individual, he grew up in the Cubs and Boy Scouts movement, and has stayed involved with this fine organization his whole adult life.  Just recently, he attended a meeting with other King’s / Queen’s Scouts to plan the Centennial of Scouting which occurs in 2007.  He rose through the ranks of scouting with the 6^th Kingston group from 1946-58 and became leader with his son’s group in Nepean 1977-87.  A long the way he has never missed an opportunity to tell anyone who will listen what a great place the military colleges were to be educated.  He has been instrumental in “attracting” more than a few young adults to attend the college.  

He has one son, Anthony George, from his first wife, Jacqueline, who passed away in 1987.  As President of the local Men’s Softball League during the 1980s, George and his boy became the first father / son combo in the league.  Word has it, that dad was slick with the glove but “Tony” was the best hitter in the family.  

 George married Shirley Anne in 1991 and they are now about to relocate to their ‘Dream Home’ in Barrhaven – a reasonably sized bungalow, and easier to maintain.  Don’t bet that he will slow down too much.  

He still spends a fair amount of time on community projects with his long time friends from the Lions Club.  Over the years, in addition to working on numerous community projects they also found time to participate in: hockey, softball, golf and curling teams.  He admits that his time at the Colleges and later in the military had a lot to do with his lifelong involvement in sports and more importantly, his interest in serving his community.

5571 is a Life Member of the RMC Club of Canada and plans to be buried in Parham, Ontario, just up Highway 38, almost in the shadows of the Memorial Arch.

No doubt, George Kennedy has served his country and a number of communities very well.  He has touched the lives of many people all of whom have fond memories of his many contributions to their particular activities and their lives.  We wish both him and Shirl well as they start the transition to downsize.

Oh yes, if you happen to be looking for a house in the Ottawa area, give him a call.