Thomas G. Kennedy

Golden Circle Award Salesman With IBM

Thomas G. Kennedy, 77, of Bonita Springs, Fla., previously of Westport, husband of the late Cynthia Canivan Kennedy, died on January 6 of cancer at the Bethel Healthcare Center in Bethel. He was born on September 27, 1929, in Easton, Penn., a son of Neal V. Kennedy and Lena Gum Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Kennedy Skewis and  her husband, Timothy, of Newtown, and their children Kelly and Brendan, and Colleen Kennedy Frost of Fairfield, and her children, Megan and Tommy; his brother, Donald F. Kennedy of Georgetown, Texas; and his sister, R. Margaret Kennedy of Easton, Penn. He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert Neal and Paul G. Kennedy of Easton, Penn. His wife of 47 years preceded him in death in July 2006.

Mr Kennedy graduated from Lafayette College in 1951 where he was active in his fraternity, Kappa Delta Rho. He served in the 3rd United States Army Infantry. After basic training, he was chosen to be one of the sentinels, a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; he served in that capacity until he was sent to Korea where he served on active duty. 

After receiving an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he joined IBM in 1956 serving in the capacity both as salesman and manager until his retirement in 1988. During his time with IBM he was recognized as a superb salesman and was awarded 11 “Golden Circle Awards,” a top incentive sales award.

At sales promotion meetings he used members of his family as well as some of the family pets.  Tom enlisted the help of his well-behaved Sicilian donkey, Finnegan, who rode up to the meeting in the elevator, trotted into the room, entering into the role of a prospector’s burro and immediately became the center of attraction.  At another meeting Finnegan again starred, this time disguised as a racehorse with Mr Kennedy’s daughter, Colleen, as a jockey.  Not to be outdone, the family parrot, Patrick, whistled the theme song from the movie The Sting at yet another meeting. 

Mr Kennedy was also active in the company’s softball and bowling leagues. While living in Connecticut he indulged his interests in sailing. After his retirement from IBM, he allied himself with the firm Computer Aid for ten years before he and his wife moved to Bonita Springs. In Florida, he became an avid golfer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 13, at 10 am, in St Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Prior calling hours have been omitted.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.

The Newtown Bee        January 12, 2006