Harold Kennedy 1937-2011

Retired UMaine police sergeant Harold Kennedy died on Thursday Aug. 4 at the age of 74.  An Old Town native, Kennedy was a popular “good, old-fashioned police officer,” as described by Officer Deborah Mitchell. 

Kennedy retired from UMaine in 2001 after 38 years of service, but he continued five more years as a part-time reserve officer.  Mitchell, who worked closely with Kennedy, says he was known for his organizational skills, taking care of overtime details and making sure shifts were covered during special events.  As a night shift patrol supervisor, “he would oversee the foot patrol officers and would check on them throughout their shifts, backing them up on calls and making sure they were warm and well-fed on cold winter nights,” she recalls. “He organized the police softball league, which was very dear to him, was actively involved in Special Olympics and was known as the ‘father’ of the UMaine police department buy fellow officers.”

A Saturday Bangor Daily News obituary provides more detail about Kennedy’s survivors and his life outside his work at UMaine.  It also has the following information about services: “Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Monday at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Holy Family Church, Old Town. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Immediately after services at the cemetery, all are invited to the parish center for a light luncheon and continued fellowship. Memorial contributions may be made to Resurrection Parish, Holy Family Church Building Fund, 429 Main St., Old Town, ME 04468.”