Hundreds Attend City Hall Ceremony Honoring the Late Councilmember John Kennedy

Hundreds of Pasadenans mourners — elected and city officials, community members, friends, and family members, celebrated the life of former District 3 Councilmember John Jackson Kennedy, who passed away on July 21 at the age of 61. They filled Centennial Plaza directly in front of Pasadena City Hall, where Kennedy was first elected to the City Council in 2013.

Two fifty-foot banners honoring and quoting Councilmember Kennedy hung high above the steps of City Hall, reading “All my life I’ve fought for fairness,” and ‘I’ve got you. One Pasadena.”

Mayor Victor Gordo pointed out Kennedy’s dedication to service and community, telling the gathering, “Serving in Pasadena, as you all know, means serving people from all walks of life. It means serving people, not an institution …and John did that with dignity and distinction, right until his final days.”

“I want us all to stand and applaud and give honor to our friend John Kennedy for a life well lived for his service to our community and for so many accomplishments,” Gordo told the audience, which stood applauded in tribute.

Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathyrn Barger said that Kennedy had an “eye for homing in on just what his community needed and wanted.'' Barger added, “When John sought support for anything, it was never about John. His focus was always, always, on the greater good.”

Kennedy attended Blair High School and USC, receiving degrees in International Relations and Economics. He went on to earn a law degree at Howard University School of Law and later served as president of the Pasadena branch of the NAACP.

Kennedy was elected to serve as a Councilmember after Chris Holden decided to seek a seat in the Assembly.

Kennedy also served on the City Council’s Finance and Public Safety committees. Previously Kennedy served as one of three City representatives to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

Kennedy was a tireless advocate for police oversight and at one point was the lone supporter of an oversight commission on the City Council.