Former Roanoke Times and Roanoke Star columnist Joe Kennedy passed away Monday at the age of 66.
Joe suffered a stroke in 2009, two years after he left the Roanoke Times. His recovery went far slower than he had hoped and he continued to fight partial blindness and other physical limitations up until his death. Joe was hospitalized last week in Charlottesville and was apparently still there when he died.
Joe was an adored reporter and columnist during his thirty plus years with the Roanoke Times as he covered local people, places and events with a heart for lifting up the interesting and positive aspects of life in the Roanoke Valley. When we picked up his column in 2006 we received a flood of emails and letters thanking us for “bringing Joe back” and allowing him to have a voice once again.
As a newspaper columnist and publisher I knew Joe for some time professionally and in the beginning we found ourselves on opposite sides of the fence when it came to certain civic issues – most notably Victory Stadium. At some point in 2004 we sparred heavily back and forth in our weekly columns on Roanoke.Com citing the error of one another’s ways. As I recall the barbs cast in both directions were by no means dull.
Regardless, when I extended an offer to run his column with us he was notably surprised but responded favorably and was excited about the opportunity to write once again. Our mutual friend Hayden Hollingsworth helped get Joe focused and reassured him that he still had an audience that longed to hear his views and opinions.
Due to his continued health challenges Joe was unable to keep up a weekly presence and wound up writing only on occasion in recent years. He still managed to give a wry and lively look at his subject matter, however, and readers often commented on his columns.
I never got the feeling that Joe Kennedy was satisfied with his lot in life. I think much of that had to do with the passing of his beloved wife at an early age and the challenges he faced raising their children. He always seemed so unsure about whether he had done a decent enough job of it. I suspect they told him otherwise on more than one occasion, but he nevertheless often left the question hanging in his writing. Frankly, I don’t think he ever got over the loss of her.
Yet, if you read Joe’s self written obituary composed in March of 2013 (see link below) you will know that he always believed that life was ultimately good beyond measure.
Joe Kennedy was a fine man. A seeker who sought to clarify and lift up the good and the genuine in life for others. He will be greatly missed here at the Star. Godspeed Joe. We’ll keep the presses running my friend.
– Stuart Revercomb
Joe’s self written obituary offered as a column: http://theroano.wwwmi3-ss14.a2hosted.com/2013/03/25/writing-my-own-obituary-joe-kennedy/
