Harold (Tad) Albert Kennedy III
Age 57, of Groton, Connecticut, passed away on Monday, August 25, surrounded by loving family at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.
Tad was born on December 30, 1967, in Rochester, New York, to Harold (Rusty) Albert Kennedy Jr. and Kirsten (Wallgren) Babbin. He is survived by his mother, Kirsten Babbin; his sister, Sarah (Kennedy) Pinkowski, and her husband, Hank Pinkowski; his sons, Ryan Stokes and his partner, Katie O’Reilly, and Colin Kennedy; and his granddaughter, Elowyn Stokes. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, as well as many close friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Harold (Rusty) Kennedy; his stepfather, Elwood Babbin; and his wife, Jill Arters.
For more than forty years, Tad worked as a career land surveyor. He was known for his professionalism, competence, and ease to work with, as well as for his deep knowledge of the field. Outside of work, he enjoyed long drives exploring New England and had a particular affinity for antique barns, railways, and old American workways.
Tad will be remembered for living life on his own terms. He valued independence, simplicity, and authenticity, and he found joy in the everyday. He had a curious eye for history and tradition, whether in the craftsmanship of an old barn or the worn tracks of a railway, and he carried that appreciation into the way he lived his own life. Those who knew him will remember his quiet strength, his dry humor, and his deep loyalty to the people he loved.
A celebration of Tad’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Valley Railroad or Thames River Heritage Park.