Thomas L. Kennedy, Iii

Dr. Thomas Lyle Kennedy III, of Fairfield, CT, died peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at Bridgeport Hospital where he served as Chairman of Pediatrics for 21 years. He was 69. A pediatric nephrologist, Tom had a gift for providing excellent care with a sympathetic and reassuring demeanor. He earned two teaching awards at Bridgeport and two at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he worked from 1979-88. He was a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine from 1994-2009 and was Acting Chief of Pediatric Nephrology at Yale for three years. Tom was born March 2, 1946, in Allentown, PA to the late Thomas Lyle and Sterla Fritzinger Kennedy. He was an accomplished athlete at William Allen High, playing varsity baseball and setting records in cross country. Tom went on to complete multiple marathons and remained a runner until his health no longer allowed it. He was an avid history reader, sports fan and music enthusiast, and was happiest surrounded by family, especially with a grandchild on his knee. A devoted husband and proud father and grandfather, Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Nancy; his sister, Sally Morgan of Riverside, CT; his children, Todd (wife, Michelle) of Tarrytown, NY, Leigh (husband, Phil Ruvinsky) of New Canaan, CT, and Andrew (wife, Stephanie) of Montclair, NJ; and five grandchildren, Maggie, Charlie, Sophia, Sarah and Lyle (Thomas Lyle V) - who all knew him affectionately as Bumpy. Tom graduated in1968 from Princeton where he majored in biology, pitched for the varsity baseball team and was a member of Charter Club. He earned his medical degree from Cornell University in 1972. Following his training at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he was chief resident, he served two years at Camp Lejeune, NC as a lieutenant commander and physician in the U.S. Navy. He then returned to Philadelphia to complete his fellowship in pediatric nephrology. Tom will be remembered for his unfailing commitment to helping others. As a member of a volunteer medical mission team, he made three trips to Jamaica to provide care to those in need. He was chairman of the Fairfield Board of Health for 10 years, co-chaired The United Way of Eastern Fairfield County's 'Success by Six' program for six years, and served on the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven. An active member of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Tom held several leadership positions, including Chair of the Church Council. A memorial service will be held at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church on Saturday, November 7 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bridgeport Hospital's Tom Kennedy Toy Closet, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT, 06610 or the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.