L&A County Warden passes away

Jeff Green | Mar 16, 2016

The County of Lennox and Addington announced on Monday that Warden Clarence Kennedy died over the weekend.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Clarence Kennedy, Warden of the County of Lennox and Addington and Reeve of the Township of Stone Mills on Sunday, March 13, 2016 after a brief battle with cancer” said press release.

Clarence Kennedy was elected as county warden for the year 2016 at council’s inaugural meeting on December 9, 2015.

Warden Kennedy began his municipal service as a member of the Township of Stone Mills Committee of Adjustment in 2003, a position he served in until he was elected in 2010 as a councilor representing the Camden Ward of Stone Mills Township. In 2014 he was elected as reeve of the township.

As a member of Lennox and Addington County Council, Warden Kennedy served on the Economic Development Coalition, the Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington Social Services Committee, and the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee. He was a proud new member of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, as of his selection as warden in December.

Kennedy worked for 33 years for the Lennox and Addington County Board of Education, which through restructuring became the Limestone District School Board. As an educator, he served in a number of leadership roles in many of Lennox and Addington’s school communities. He also served as a director and chair of the board for the L&A Mutual Insurance Company.

Warden Kennedy and his wife Rose Marie managed a cow /calf operation with their son Ted on the family farm in Enterprise.

Left to mourn Warden Kennedy’s passing is his wife Rose Marie; his children, Amy Kennedy-York and her husband Jamie; Ted Kennedy and his wife Sara; and Lana King and her husband Kevin; and his six grandchildren.

“Warden Kennedy was a dedicated and thoughtful leader who was held in high regard throughout the community he served. He will be greatly missed,” said the release.

Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg said that Warden Kennedy missed a meeting in February and that was when he found out he was ill, but it was only when Kennedy did not attend the ROMA/Good Roads conference in Toronto in late February that Reeve Hogg found out that the illness was very serious.

“I have only known him since he joined county council when he became reeve at the end of 2014, but I knew he had a track record of public service, both as a teacher and a volunteer. We will miss him at the county and we send out best wishes to his family,” said Hogg.

Former Warden Gord Schermerhorn has taken on the role of L&A County Warden until Council meets this month to consider how to proceed.

“This is unprecedented for us,” said Hogg.

Funeral arrangements for Warden Kennedy are in the care of Hannah Funeral Home in Tamworth: http://www.hannahfuneralhome.com/notices/Clarence-Kennedy