Frank Kennedy, Sr. of Washington, Mass., passed away on May 17, 2021 at Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing. He had just turned 78.
Frank was born on April 12, 1943 in Bronx, NY, to Charles and Grace Kennedy. He was one of seven siblings. He spent most of his childhood in an orphanage known as Lakeside. There, he met Carol Irene Ritsert, the love of his life. They married in Yonkers on October 18, 1963 and raised three children.
Frank joined the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and afterward became a machinist. He worked at Smith & Wesson, then moved to Becket and later Washington to work at Beloit Jones.
Frank loved the outdoors, especially in his early years in Becket. He and Carol became self-made homesteaders who dabbled in farming and raising livestock. Anyone who visited in the summer was bound to walk away with homegrown tomatoes.
“Keep the rubber side down” was Frank’s favorite piece of advice about driving and life. He kept the rubber to the road by four-wheeling through the woods of Becket and riding with the WORMS motorcycle club (a Berkshire-based group whose name stood for We Only Ride Motorcycles Sober). He was proud of his longtime sobriety.
A generous volunteer, Frank loved to help others stay on their feet. He gave rides to survivors of domestic violence for a local shelter. On many a New Year’s Eve, he ferried revelers home safely.
Frank was a lifelong learner and an entrepreneur at heart. He dabbled in knitting, collecting old bottles, helping people with their tech issues, and running a computer repair business. At the time of his death, Frank’s Facebook profile listed his work as “Head Honcho at Your Way Computer.”
Frank is preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers, as well as his daughter-in-law, Jeanne Bogino. Carol passed away in November 2020 after 57 years of marriage. Frank is survived his brother, William (Mercedes) Kennedy, his children Frank Kennedy, Jr., Margaret (John) Rorrio, and Denise (Matt) Pillion. He also has two grandchildren, a great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.
The family is planning a joint service for Frank and Carol in Washington in June.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Frank’s name to the Elizabeth Freeman Center (elizabethfreemancenter.org), Alcoholics Anonymous (contribution.aa.org), or an organization that offers “sober rides.” Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, is handling the arrangements.