Tom Kennedy (25 Nov 1950 - 28 Nov 2016)

Loved and missed soo much my big brother Tommy xx

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my big brother Tommy. Loved ❤❤🎻🎻 and missed soo much. Heartbroken don't have you anymore Tommy 😪😪😪😪 Never Forgotten 😪😪💔💔💔

To a memory of which my big brother Tommy always gave to the Big Issue 💙💙💙

I first met Tom through TSSA when he was based in London - we spent a very enjoyable (if somewhat boozy) day together travelling to and from a GCHQ demonstration way back in the 1980s. On joining the TSSA staff, I worked closely with Tom from 2000 until shortly before he left TSSA. He was a very likeable person, very thoughtful and witty. We often talked about Tom's passion for music when we had the chance - usually over a pint. He was very proud of his family, and they have every reason to be proud of him. The news of his premature death was such a shock. I'm glad to have known him.

This is a time in the calendar when when we'd be looking forward to catching up with Tom and family and other old friends and neighbours at the Jessimans' excellent Burns Night.
This year, we'll do our best. But on a night of music, laughter, wit and celebration, we're without a man who's values, company and contribution would be cherished by Burns himself.
Tom, we'll raise a glass o' kindness this weekend in your fond memory.

This is a time in the calendar when Tom would feature prominently for us.
Aside from the welcome meetings on trains and in the street, we'd always catch up with Tom and family at the Jessimans' excellent Burns Nights.
This weekend, we have the great pleasure of another occasion, but without the company of a man that Burns would have welcomed on any night that music, laughter and great chat featured.
Tom, we'll raise a glass o kindness in fond memory. You'll be celebrated and very sadly missed.

My heart went out to all of you at the mass on Friday and I truly felt you all gave Tommy, as a very kind and caring and loving husband father and brother through the mass, the beautiful last goodbye from all of you in a show of deepest love for Tommy . You all have a journey to go on which will be painful for some time and I cannot say when in the future this pain will lessen but one day you will all be together sitting talking about him, and things he said and done, and you will feel yourselves smiling, about him. His spirit will always be near all of you .

Catherine (nee Sludden,Tommy’s cousin)&Charlie Mc Alinden

As I travelled to work early one morning on the 2nd December following the terrible news of Tommy's sudden passing, my thoughts naturally turned to all my memories of him and suddenly found myself writing this :-


THE LONELY GUITAR
Written by John Burns

The eldest son of Margaret and John,
Was called by God to collect his guitar and quickly move on,
This loving and extremely talented soul,
Has gone suddenly from his family leaving behind a crater-sized hole.

Taken so soon from his daughters and loving wife, Kris,
So broken hearted trying to come to terms with this.
And not forgetting he was the Kennedy's eldest brother,
Now heaven-bound for a reunion with his father and mother.

His talent with the guitar was crafted from a very young age,
He was never more at home than when performing on stage.
With instrument in hand, on to his platform he'd walk,
It is safe to say, he could make a guitar talk.

A loving husband and kind family man,
Always on hand willing to do what he can.
A life lived in Moodiesburn, Glasgow and London afar,
But tonight in Scotland's Second City, there sits The Lonely Guitar.

His Burns family cousins are also left numb and sad,
What gratitude we have as he dropped everything to be at the bedside of our Dad.
From trying to talk him round from his unconscious state,
To six weeks later saying "Aye John - you're looking great."

The quiet optimism we had that he would get home to recover,
Was sadly shattered by news we were so cruelly to discover.
What had lead to this outpouring of grief and shedding of tears?
It was the sudden passing of Tommy Kennedy aged just 66 years.

Tommy - legend is a much-used term but in your case, it is a fitting one given your status in family hierarchy.

We are forever in your debt for dropping everything and dashing to Watford to be at our Dad's bedside on the morning of Wednesday March 19th 1980.

Your support during those dark weeks was unselfish, unstinting and without which we would have crumbled.

Thanks for being one of the best cousins we could ever have wished for.

Tell everyone we were asking for them.

Forever missed.

Hugh, Helen, Jane, Ann, James, Monica, Lucille, Mary-Teresa and John.

Your Burns Family Cousins

xxxxxxxxx

I was absolutely devastated when I heard the news about Tommy's sudden passing, just can't take it in so God knows how Chris, Caitlin, Lauren and the rest of the Kennedy family must be feeling.

Tommy will be forever a hero in my eyes at the time when my Dad took ill down in Watford in March 1980. I was this Wee frightened 11 year old schoolboy not knowing if my Dad was going to live but there was my big cousin Tommy with a bit of a laugh, a joke and that typical laid back demeanor of his assuring me that "Aye, don't worry, John, yir Da will be OK". He'll never know what that meant. As a family, we owed Tommy a huge debt of gratitude for what he did for us during those 6 tough weeks.

And what he could do with a guitar was just unbelievable - what a talent!!! I was well and truly awestruck.

One of my lasting memories was at Uncle John's 80th Birthday party when Tommy performed a few songs with the band and seeing the proud look on his Dad's face as he gave all the guests such a fantastic and memorable performance. That will always live with me.

To say I'll miss you Tommy, wouldn't do you justice - we've just lost one of our generation at far too young an age, life's just a bit unfair sometimes and this is such an occasion.

John Burns

Tommy I will always remember our night at haggerty's pub and the Chinese across the road thereafter. A great night full of laughter, debate and the odd tipple! You were always so kind to louise for which I'm eternally grateful and we will try to live our lives as you did with integrity, humour and compassion.

I will always remember my uncle Tommy as a kind, generous, intelligent and funny man. My earliest memories of him was listening to him play guitar, being dazzled by his talent and hoping one day I could be even half as good as him when playing. My last memory of him was at the party in October 2016 where he gave his speech in French celebrating Carine and Frank's wedding. I remember standing next to him feeling very impressed and thinking how proud I was that he was my uncle. I will dearly miss him but I am left with many happy memories of him which I will never forget.

Rest In Peace Tommy.

In loving memory of a lovely man.

It's so hard to believe that we won't see Tommy again. Rest In Peace

It was with sadness that I learnt of Tom’s passing. In the period I got to know Tom at the TSSA he demonstrated sound politics and a great sense of humor so was easy to warm to him.

Like other colleagues who worked with Tom at TSSA, I will always remember him as a witty, intelligent, compassionate, and caring person who will be greatly missed.

It's taken me more than a few days to process this loss. I can't fathom the pain that my dear auntie and cousins are living through. I'm honored to have known him and called him family--I can't imagine what all of our lives will be like without my "Scottish uncle." I so wish that my children could have known him--his words of wisdom during a difficult time in my life were a comfort. I knew that though we lived far apart he cared for our situation and well being, and that his thoughtful input was a product of much consideration. Our family gatherings will be lacking in depth and wit without his presence. Praying for you all Xx

I only knew Tom for a short time at TSSA, but despite this I learnt so much from our chats during staff training events and meetings. Very sad to hear of his passing, he is one of those colleagues that will always be remembered.

I was saddened to learn of Toms death, he was a good colleague and fine trade unionist.

You were a true gentleman Tom and a really kind neighbour, I will miss you greatly. xx

Dear Kris,
Mary has been keeping us abreast of the sad news of Tom's death. I have such good memories of his visit to Vermillion and the time we were able to spend with him, especially meaningful to Jack because of their Irish connection. The tributes shared are a beautiful testament to the impact Tom's life has had on our world.
Kerry and I are holding you and the girls in our hearts, praying for healing and courage as you begin this journey into uncharted territory. With love, Lois

quand je suis venue en octobre pour fêter les deux mariage je ne pensée pas revenir si vite pour les funérailles de mon cher cousin. Tommy qui était mon confident mon ami mon protecteur je suis contente avoir fait partie de sa vie je garderez durant mon existence tous les superbes souvenirs partages avec lui il va beaucoup me manquer qu'il repose en paix je pense aussi a sa femme Kris et a ses deux filles Catlin et Laureen ma filleule a qui j envoient toutes mon amities ainsi qua la famille courage a tous

Tommy; it has been 2 weeks since you passed and what we hoped was a bad dream is real.
As a brother you were kind, respectful and endlessly caring; I am completely heartbroken at your passing.
To Pat you were someone to look up to and he admired you greatly.
Danielle is broken hearted; she has lost a brilliant uncle; someone who always looked out for her from when she was a baby in her grand dads house until now.
When Danielle was ill in hospital you visited her regularly and kept her going with your conversations on current affairs; so much so she now knows everything about American Politics.
Thank you Tommy for being part of our lives; words cannot express how much we shall miss you!
As in the words of the Cole Swindell song "You Should Be Here"
You will always be in my prayers
Love Teresa xx