Obituary of Rev. Arthur M. Kennedy Jr.

Rev. Arthur M. "Preacher" Kennedy, Jr.

Rev. Arthur M. "Preacher" Kennedy, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully at home in Rome, NY on May 26, 2025, after a long illness. He was the son of Arthur M. Kennedy, Sr. and Rosa (Bell) Kennedy of Shreveport, LA. He was born on January 1, 1933, and attended the local public schools. He had one daughter, Angela Faith Kennedy, and one brother, Eddie Craig Kennedy of Shreveport, LA.

After joining the military, his final assignment was at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome. He was outgoing and very well liked. During this time, he enhanced his education by taking college classes at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1973.

Deciding to remain in Rome, he married his devoted companion, Thomasina (Bennett) Kennedy of Rome, and embraced her family as his own. He began a new career at the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy, NY. Over the years, he developed many lasting friendships before retiring from the State of New York.

Long-term friends recall Kennedy sharing that he was given his nickname "Preacher" after being ordained in his hometown as a Junior Preacher. After initially leaving home and pursuing other interests, he became actively involved in Rome community service and returned to his Christian faith. Preacher substituted for both the first Black gospel pioneer radio host in the Greater Mohawk Valley, Deacon Kenneth “Candyman” Bryant and Rev. John Williams on Rome AM radio stations.

After serving for many years within the Baptist community, Rev. Kennedy was ordained as both Reverend and Assistant Pastor of Mt Calvary Baptist Church of Rome in 1980. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Kennedy was assigned to fill in, then soon became the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church of Utica, NY. His church burning to the ground became a lifetime defining moment demonstrating his God-given zeal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and his resilience to weather the storm, as he ministered to both the Utica community and the faithful New Bethel members, without the benefit of a permanent church home, This served as a testimony that the “Believers In Jesus Christ” are “God’s Church”, not the “Physical Church Building”.

Through his affiliation with the National Day of Prayer and an international Christian organization, a retiring pastor recommended Rev. Kennedy as his replacement after completing the Presbyterian requirements. Subsequently, he became Pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Utica, NY and remained there for several years until health issues forced him to retire from full-time ministry.

Rev. Kennedy is survived by his loving wife, Thomasina (Bennett) Kennedy, in addition to:

· his stepchildren, Evangelist Isaac T. Bennett II and Evangelist Beverly Holmes, both of Rome;

· his step-grandchildren, DeWayne Bennett of CA, Cortisha Faircloth of Rome, Minister Isaac T. Bennett III of Chicago, IL, Cornelle Bennett of Rome, Larry (Buffy) McCrea of Dayton, OH, Latice Holmes of Rome, Chanice Bennett (Rabb Hamid) of Rome, Kevin

Brown of Dayton of OH, Timothy A. Bennett of Cortland, NY, and Quiana O. Holmes of NYC, NY;

· his step-great grandchildren, Quinten Bennett of CA, Malia Bennett of TX, Keith (Michelle) Long of Gilbert, AZ, Devin McCrea of Dayton, OH, Conner Lewis (Anah Hill), Colline Lewis, Sevin Brown, August Brown, all of Dayton, OH, NyAishia Bennett, Ishmarai Hamid, Kemari Hunt, and Siyana Faircloth, all of Rome, Bozi Bennett, Honor Bennett, Kashyah Williams, Kalle Williams (Tyler Foley), Promise Dennard, Savion Benko Sr. (Kiana Clark), all of Rome; and

· his step-great great grandchildren, Elowyn Long, Aleah Howard and Laney Howard of Gilbert, AZ, Zahir Cummings, Ryker Foley, Kamora Foley, Harmony Savage, Kyrie Benko, Savion Benko Jr., Sylas Benko, Ka’liyah Benko, Kohl Benko, all of Rome; and

· a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

Rev Kennedy was predeceased by his parents, his daughter Angela Kennedy, and his brother Eddie Kennedy of Shreveport, LA, in addition to:

· his stepdaughters, Barbara "BeBe" (Bennett) McCrea of Dayton, OH and Yvonne "Boo Boo" Bennett (Antonio) of Rome;

· his stepdaughter-in-law, Evangelist Sherelyn E. (Evans) (Isaac, II) Bennett of Rome;

· his stepson-in-law, Joseph (Evangelist Beverly Bennett) Holmes of Rome; and

· his step-great grandchild, Nascia Brown of Dayton, OH.

On Friday, June 6, 2025, both the Viewing will be held at 12 noon and the Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 pm at Mt Calvary Baptist Church, 203 Erie Blvd East, Rome, New York 13440. Burial with Military Honors at Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements with Strong, Burns and Sprock Funeral Home