Austin J. (A.J.) Kennedy, Jr., Captain, Supply Corps, U.S.N. Ret., age 90, of Mt. Pleasant, died on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Roper-St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Bernadette Soubeyroux Kennedy. Visitation with family and friends 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464; (843) 884-3833. Funeral Mass 10:00AM, Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad St., Charleston, SC 29401. Final Commendation and Burial to follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. Captain Kennedy was born in Charleston, July 26, 1918 the son of Austin J. Kennedy and Annie B. Kennedy. He was a graduate of the High School of Charleston (’35). He attended The Citadel (’39) for three years before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he entered as a plebe in June 1938. He graduated with the Class of 1942 in December 1941 as the United States entered WWII following the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Austin and Bernadette Kennedy were married in The Citadel’s Summerall Chapel by Reverend Monsignor Henry F. Wolfe and Reverend James J. May on March 14, 1945. Devout Roman Catholics, they attended St. Mary’s, The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, SC; and Christ Our King in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Austin served in the US Navy for 27 years and retired in 1968. He served on the USS Arcadia, AD-23, a destroyer tender and on an aircraft carrier, the USS Saratoga, CVA 60. He served on a number of shore stations including one at NAS Tanapag on Saipan, Marianas Islands and locations on the East Coast and the West Coast. Austin served with the Defense Supply Agency in Contract Administration Services, Philadelphia and at a DSA Depot in Mechanicsburg, PA. His final assignment was as Director, Naval Audit Service, Philadelphia, PA. After retirement from the US Navy, Austin served as an Officer with The Fidelity Bank, Philadelphia, PA for 11 years. He and his wife Bernadette returned to Charleston in July 1978. Captain Kennedy was a member of the Charleston Lions Club, the Navy League- Charleston Chapter, the Retired Officers Association, the Hibernian Society, and the Quis Qui. Captain Kennedy will be deeply missed by his daughter, Bonnie Kennedy of Charleston; son, COL Austin J. Kennedy, III (USA Ret.) and wife Ann of Lorton, VA; son, Stephen Kennedy and wife Mary Lou of Isle of Palms, SC; daughter, Julie Kaster and husband Dean of Bel Air, MD; son, Michael Kennedy and wife Linda of Waxahachie, TX; son, Kevin Kennedy and wife Deb of Isle of Palms, SC. In addition to his wife Bernadette, Captain Austin was preceded in death by his sister, Elna C. Kennedy and brother, Henry A. Kennedy, both lifelong residents of Charleston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cathedral of St. John the Baptist or to a charitable organization of one’s choice. Online condolences to the Kennedy family via www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths. Tags: 1939
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