Former long-time Whidbey Island resident Joseph Kennedy passed away peacefully at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma the evening of May 2, 2005. He was born Nov. 23, 1941.

Joseph was a former VA adviser at Skagit Valley College working with students and returning POWS. He was enlisted in the Navy from December 1963 to December 1967, serving in Vietnam.

Joseph lived the last years of his life in Bremerton where he volunteered with the Elks Lodge and the VA driving disabled veterans to doctor appointments.

Joe’s love of baking stayed with him always. It was not unusual for him to bake 30 or 40 dozen cookies to share with residents of his apartment complex, Senior Center, the VA and Elks.

Joseph is survived by his son Joe Kennedy of Hillsboro, Ore., daughter Deborah Thomas of Ocean Shores, step-daughter Sandra Peterson of Paulsbo, and step-daughter Keilah Tamarack of Seattle. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.

Services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday, May 20, at 1 p.m. All those that remember Joseph are asked to please attend.