Donald was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. Donald was a proud Marine. He joined the United States Marine Corp. and served 13 months in Vietnam. He always anticipated Memorial Day services to honor fallen brothers and Veteran’s Day to speak to students at school about the meaning of serving his country each of these days and the sacrifices veterans made. In May of 2016 the Mayor and Town Council honored Don as the Outstanding Veteran of the Year from the town of Secaucus. He was also honored as one of the Grand Marshalls during the Memorial Day parade in 2015. Don would always have a smile on his face, when he was wearing either a baseball cap, tee-shirt or jacket with the Marine Corp. emblem on it. Donald retired from the Secaucus Police Department as a sergeant in 1995.
He was a life member of the Secaucus PBA Local 84, American Legion Post 118, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3776, Vietnam Veterans of America Bergen County Post 800 and the Disabled Veterans of New Jersey. He was also a devoted Met fan.
After retirement, he enjoyed cooking, traveling, his friends, and loved to spend time in the country.
Don was blessed to have a loving family, and supportive friends. He was predeceased by his parents Martha and William Kennedy. Survived by his beloved wife of 48 years Barbara, nee Baumann, and their two sons, Stephen of San Jose, CA and Brian, wife Melissa, of Marlboro NJ and his adorable granddaughter Paige. Donald also leaves behind his brother William C., wife Marie Kennedy, of Rockaway, NJ, and his childhood friend Russel Potts of Lake Worth, FL. He was also blessed to have many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, November 1st. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 am on Saturday, November 2nd at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately after the service at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Secaucus VFW Post 3776, 1400 Paterson Plank Rd. Secaucus, NJ 07094 or Vietnam Veterans of America Bergen County Chapter 800, 100 Main St. Little Ferry, NJ.
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