James "Jim" E. Kennedy, Jr.

James E. Kennedy, Jr., returned to the Creator from whom we all come on Thursday, November 24, 2022, after a long courageous battle with cancer. To the end he was kind, caring, laughing and making people feel better. He faced death with grace and nobility.

Jim was born in Syracuse, NY on April 4, 1950, to James E. Kennedy, Sr., and Therese Ann (Killian) Kennedy. Sadly, his mother preceded him in death.

Jim excelled in school and studied with the Jesuits through graduation from LeMoyne University in Syracuse. He then served in the US Army in Vietnam as a chaplain on helicopters that picked up the dead and wounded.

He continued in the Army Reserves and while working at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Pace University. Following the example of Jesus, Jim ministered to the outcasts and forgotten. He volunteered in ministry to people with AIDS, their survivors, and their families.

After he retired to Florida, he had more time to express his fun-loving and artistic sides while he continued to serve people in the gay and lesbian communities and people with AIDS.

Jim was one of the dance teachers in Fort Lauderdale’s Southern Country South Florida dance organization. That is where he met his life partner, Joseph C. Schaub. In late 2011 they moved to Joe’s hometown of Grafton.

Jim made many great friends in their new home. He volunteered at Saint Joseph Parish, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilting and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg, the North Shore Quilt Guild, the Lakeshore Modern Quilt Guild, and the Grafton Senior Center. He filled in as instructor in the exercise class on numerous occasions. He enjoyed Mah-Jongg and many other activities.

Jim is survived by his life partner, Joseph C. Schaub, his father, James E. Kennedy, Sr., Jim’s brother Christopher Kennedy and his wife Cara Logan Kennedy, his sister Kathleen Mott (whose husband Dan Mott is deceased) nieces Jennifer Papworth and Nicole Mott and nephew Kenneth Mott, his sister Carol Ann Cregg (deceased) nephews Christopher and Brian Cregg and his wife Kayleigh and their son Mason, and numerous relatives and friends.

Jim is also survived by Mary G. Schaub, Joe’s mother, Joe’s brother David Schaub and his wife Rosemary Altringer Schaub, nephews Nicholas and Matthew Schaub, his wife Anna Schaub and their daughter Christine, by Joe’s sister Theresa Schaub Church and Jon Church, nephew Ricardo Schaub Church and Evelyn Manzano and their daughters Amira and Kira.

He is survived by Joe’s brother Richard Schaub and his wife Lisa Stroik Schaub, nephew Eric Schaub and his partner Julie, niece Ashley Schaub Schicker and her daughter Sophia, nephew Ryan Schaub, niece Alisha Schaub Last, her husband Taylor Last, and their children Rylie May, Harper and Beckett.

Jim is also survived by Joe’s sister Carolyn Schaub Laabs, her husband Thomas Laabs, and their sons Steven Laabs (wife Lisa) and Michael Laabs, (wife Angela) and each couple’s children. [continued]

Jim was known for his kindness and gratitude, for his sense of humor and hearty laughter, his intelligence, determination, and for leaving every person and place better then he found them.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Grafton Mueller Funeral Home, 979 N. Green Bay Road from 4:30 to 6:30 and on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1619 Washington Street in Grafton from 12:00 to 1:15pm. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30pm. Burial to follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to honor Jim with donations to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), or the American Cancer Society.