Russell Leroy Kennedy

  Russell Leroy (Lee) Kennedy, 84 of Skowhegan and West Forks, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Woodlawn Nursing Home in Skowhegan. 

Lee was born in Skowhegan on January 30, 1938, he was the son and only child of the late Russell Leonard and Stella (Ferland) Kennedy. He attended and graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston, Maine. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. He went on to work at Sampson's Supermarket in Madison, as a bus driver in Bingham, at the transfer station in West Forks as well as with several rafting companies. 

He was a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He learned to square-dance from the Arnold Trail Squares. He enjoyed it so much that he ended up teaching to groups including The Sage Swingers, Square Eights, The Triple Town Swingers, and the Kennebec Reelers. His love of it led him to become a caller. He was well known in the square-dancing community as The Singing Lumberjack and called dances at the State of Maine Capital, in Washington D.C. and also in Canada. Lee enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and was known to hunt, fish and trap. 

Lee is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathryn Kennedy, his children, Jon, LeAnne, Lisa, James, Lenora, Charlie and Dana. He is also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to his special and dear friend, Gordon Berry (and his family) for all his genuine kindness and hard work over many, many years. They enjoyed many fishing trips together that were made possible by Gordon. A sincere thanks is extended to the staff at Woodlawn Nursing Home in Skowhegan for their excellent care over the last years of Russell’s life. 

A graveside service will be held in the Spring in Mountain Cemetery on Mountain Cemetery Rd. at a date yet to be determined. 

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