CHICOPEE - Reverend Francis M. Kennedy, 86, of Westfield, died on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. Fr. Kennedy was born on May 8, 1939, in Springfield to the late Deputy Fire Chief Francis M. and Anne I. (Sears) Kennedy and raised in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield. He was educated at Our Lady of Hope School (1952), Cathedral High School (1956), St. Michael’s College (1960), and St. John’s Seminary (1964). He was ordained a priest at Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield on February 8, 1964. Over the next few years, he served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield, St. Mary’s Church in Lee, Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, and St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. He later served as Pastor at St. Patrick’s Church in Northfield, then at St. Mary of the Assumption Church and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, both in Chicopee. Throughout his priesthood, he served in various Diocesan positions and as Chaplain to the Massachusetts State Police. He retired from full-time ministry in 2009 and continued celebrating Mass throughout the Diocese, especially at St. Jerome’s Church and Mary’s Meadow, both in Holyoke. Besides his parents, Fr. Kennedy was predeceased by his sister, Anmarie M. Kennedy, in 1957. Fr. Kennedy leaves his cousins, Seamus and Anne Kane of Westwood and Beverly Gilmore of Braintree, Beth Harris, Tom Evans, their families, and numerous other cousins in the United States and Ireland. He also leaves his brother priests, many friends, and his nurse, confidant, and friend, Sue Wehner, who walked with him through his illness. His family and friends extend heartfelt thanks to the physicians, staff, and caregivers at Sister Caritas Cancer Center and Mercy Medical Center. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels (413-737-1177) and will conclude with a Vigil Service at 4 p.m. A Concelebrated Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Monday morning, June 23, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, 254 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103. The Rite of Committal and Burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. For more details and to leave condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com