Walter L. Kennedy
Walter L. Kennedy (May 10, 1920 – January 22, 1997) was a Vermont automobile dealer and politician who served two terms as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.
Walter L. Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 Kennedy in 1974 | |
| Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1971–1975 | |
| Preceded by | John S. Burgess |
| Succeeded by | Timothy J. O'Connor |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1961–1975 | |
| Preceded by | F. Ray Keyser Jr. (from Chelsea) |
| Succeeded by | John Howe (from Orange-1 District) |
| Constituency | 35th District |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 10, 1920 Chelsea, Vermont |
| Died | January 22, 1997 (aged 76) Sarasota, Florida |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery, Chelsea, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Playful (m. 1943-1973, div.) Sylvia R. LeFevre (m. 1974-1997, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Automobile dealer |
Biography
Walter Lawrence "Peanut" Kennedy was born in Chelsea, Vermont on May 10, 1920. He graduated from Chelsea High School and worked at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut. He served with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal, and afterwards returning to Chelsea.[1][2]
Kennedy managed the Chelsea Co-Op Grocery and worked for American Home Foods until 1952, when he went into business as a car dealer. He soon became owner and operator of a Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep dealership, which became one of the largest car dealerships in Vermont.[3]
A Republican, Kennedy was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1960. He served seven terms, 1961 to 1975, and was Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1975.[4]
In 1974 Kennedy was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor, losing to incumbent Thomas P. Salmon.[5]
After losing the race for Governor Kennedy served as Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party from 1975 to 1976, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Vermont House in 1976.[6]
In retirement Kennedy resided in Florida. He died in Sarasota on January 22, 1997.[7][8][9][10]
References
- Obituary, Walter L. Kennedy, The World (Barre, VT) newspaper, January 28, 1997
- American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994, James Roger Sharp and Nancy Weatherly Sharp, 2000, page 137
- Automotive News, Crain Automotive Group, 1972, page 33
- Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives since 1870, Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, 2009, page 9
- General Election results for Vermont Governor, 1789-2008, Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, 2009, page 37
- Newspaper article, Walter Kennedy, Colorful Vermont politician, by Associated Press, The Day (New London, CT), January 24, 1997
- Death notice, Walter Kennedy, former Vermont House Speaker, Bangor Daily News, January 24, 1997
- Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, entry for Walter L. Kennedy, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 28, 2012
- Social Security Death Index, entry for Walter L. Kennedy, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 28, 2012
- Obituary, Walter L. Kennedy, Sarasota Herald Tribune, January 22, 1997