Mazol Shriners

William S. Kennedy Obituary

It is with great sadness that the family of Illustrious Sir William (Bill) Samuel Kennedy, Potentate of Mazol Shrine, announce his passing on August 11, 2026.

Bill had a real enthusiasm for life and loved exploring the world. He travelled widely, always enjoying new places, new foods and making friends wherever he went. He loved to cook, try new recipes and entertain family and friends. Bill also had a wonderfully dark sense of humour and a quick wit, which often brought laughter when it was least expected. His love of life, sense of fun, and unique sense of humour will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Maxwell and Gertrude Kennedy, his brother Neil Kennedy and his sister Marjorie Rideout.

He leaves his son, Richard William Kennedy, his loving partner, Jeannette Blackwood, and his best friend, Angus, with wonderful memories and sad hearts. Bill was also loved by and will be missed by his stepson, Andrew Winter (Lacy O’Connell) and stepdaughter, Hillary Winter (Timothy Gibbons).

Bill will be remembered lovingly and missed by his sisters Gloria Baird (David) and Christine and his brothers Gary (Kathryn) and David (Helen) along with his many nieces and nephews and members of the Blackwood family: Don (Sandra), Doreen Acton (Jim), Guy (Geny), Harold (Bev), and Joanne Driscoll (Wally).

Bill was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 1991. He worked tirelessly for many years, aided by his assistant, Linda Long, to serve his clients with great compassion, honesty and wisdom.

Active in his community, his firm was a member of the Mount Pearl/Paradise Chamber of Commerce from its inception in 1985. He served as President of the Chamber in 1998 and 1999, as well as Acting Solicitor, and was recognized for his work with the Community Services 20+ Years Award in 2014 and the Director’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Bill was also a proud supporter of various community events, including Mount Pearl City Days and the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival.

Bill was appointed to the Board of Directors for the St. John’s International Airport Authority on June 21,1996 and completed an eight-year term, where he served on several Board Committees.

Bill became a Master Mason in Lodge Tasker on November 21, 2002 and served as Master of his lodge in 2008 and 2024. He joined the Mazol Shrine Temple of NL in 2003 and was their Legal Counsel from 2004 to 2022. In 2022 Bill became a member of the Mazol Shrine divan and was installed as Potentate in January 2026. As a Shriner, Bill strongly believed in the Nobles and Ladies’ commitment to bettering the lives of children in need of medical care.

Death, be not proud!

A big thank you to the staff of 4 North A at the Health Sciences Centre for their care and compassion. And a final thanks to Dr. Matthew Ryan, who assisted Bill in his choice to control his own destiny.

Visitation will take place at Barrett’s Funeral Home, 328 Hamilton Avenue on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 from 2 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Mazol Shrine Centre, 530 Topsail Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lady Jeannette Blackwood’s fundraiser for Shriners Hospital for Children Canada by using the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/fundraising/lady-jeannette-blackwoods-mastercycler-fundraiser

This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home’s or family’s consent.