John Kennedy

John F. Kennedy

Age 60 of Tinley Park, formerly of Chicago, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born July 26, 1960 in Chicago, John Fitzgerald is a son of Geraldine (nee Cardinale) and the late Leslie Kennedy, Sr. He was raised in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, and graduated from De La Salle High School with the Class of 1979. Following high school, John enlisted with the United States Navy and served until his honorable discharge in 1983. He then began his career as a truck driver working for YRC Freight Company in Chicago Ridge, and later Chicago Heights, where he would work for 31 years. John was an avid sports fan and loved to go golfing or watch the Chicago Bears, White Sox, or University of Michigan football. He was very proud of his military service and enjoyed watching old black and white war movies or anything with John Wayne. Above all else, John loved his family and looked forward to spending as much time with them as possible, especially his grandchildren who were precious to him.

Survivors include his mother, Geraldine Kennedy of Las Vegas, Nevada, his wife, Cindy (nee Caffee) Grady, whom he married December 29, 2017; three children: Allison Kennedy of Glendale Heights, Jillian (E.J.) Baracree of Twentynine Palms, California, and Russell Kennedy of Tinley Park; three stepchildren: James (Ashley) Grady of Lockport, Samuel (Katie) Grady of Chicago, and Kevin Grady of Ames, Iowa; three grandchildren: Evelynn Baracree, James and Oliver Grady, with one more granddaughter expected in April; one brother and one sister: Lynne (Howard) Klein and Leslie Kennedy, Jr., both of Las Vegas, Nevada; his mother-in-law, Shirley Caffee, and brother-in-law, Philip (Debra) Caffee, Jr., both of Oak Lawn; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his father, Leslie, two sisters in infancy: Dawn and Debbie; and his father-in-law, Philip Caffee, Sr.

A private interment with full military honors will be held in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made as gifts in John’s memory to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share John’s memorial page by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.