Kennedy, Hugh A.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered Friday, Sept. 11, for Hugh A. Kennedy, SJ, who died of pneumonia at Manresa Hall, Merion Station, Pa., Sept. 6.  A Jesuit for 73 years and a priest for 61 years, he was 90.

Hugh Kennedy, son of James L. Kennedy and Margaret J. Higgins, was born Oct. 27, 1918, in Braddock, Pa. After graduating from St. Vincent’s College Prep in Latrobe, he entered the Society of Jesus Sept. 7, 1935.  Here, he pronounced his First Vows on Sept. 8, 1937, and pursued Juniorate (College) studies from 1937 to 1939. Following the study of philosophy at Inisfada, NY from 1939 to 1940 and Woodstock College in Maryland from 1940 to 1942, he taught Latin and English, was assistant moderator of The Hoya and was moderator of the band at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., from 1942 to 1945.

From 1945 to 1949, he studied theology at Woodstock College in Maryland where he was ordained to the priesthood June 20, 1948. He completed his Tertianship at St. Bueno’s College, St. Asaph, Flintshire, Wales, and made his Final Profession in the Society of Jesus on February 2, 1953, at Wernersville, PA.

Fr. Kennedy began his priestly ministry at the Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues, Wernersville, Pa., where he served as Socius (assistant) to the Master of Novices, Subminister of the Jesuit Community, teacher of French and Latin to the novices and choir director from 1950 to 1955.  After a year as minister there, he was appointed the rector of the Jesuit Community at Wernersville, an office he held until 1962, when he was assigned to the newly built Jesuit Provincial Residence in Baltimore, as the Socius to the Provincial until 1980.

Remaining at the Province Curia on Roland Ave, he became Secretary to the Provincial from 1980 to 1996 and Assistant Province Secretary from 1996 to 2007, roles in which he served nine provincials. In total, he served the administrative needs of the Maryland Province for 45 years—during which time he retained great interest in music, singing with Handel Choir of Baltimore and playing several instruments including the trumpet.

In 2007, due to failing health, Father Kennedy transferred to Manresa Hall, Merion Station, Pa., where he prayed for the Church and the Society until his death.

A viewing will be held at 9 a.m. before the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church, 740 N. Calvert St., Baltimore. Burial will follow at the Jesuit Cemetery at Wernersville, Pa.