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American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter L. Kennedy (May 10, 1920 – January 22, 1997) was a Vermont automobile dealer and politician who served two terms as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.
Walter L. Kennedy | |
|---|---|
Kennedy in 1974 | |
| Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1971–1975 | |
| Preceded by | John S. Burgess |
| Succeeded by | Timothy J. O'Connor |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1961–1975 | |
| Preceded by | F. Ray Keyser Jr. (from Chelsea) |
| Succeeded by | John Howe (from Orange-1 District) |
| Constituency | 35th District |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 10, 1920 Chelsea, Vermont |
| Died | January 22, 1997 (aged 76) Sarasota, Florida |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery, Chelsea, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Playful (m. 1943-1973, div.) Sylvia R. LeFevre (m. 1974-1997, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Automobile dealer |
Walter Lawrence "Peanut" Kennedy was born in Chelsea, Vermont, on May 10, 1920. He graduated from Chelsea High School and worked at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut. He served with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal, and afterwards returning to Chelsea.[1][2]
Kennedy managed the Chelsea Co-Op Grocery and worked for American Home Foods until 1952, when he went into business as a car dealer. He soon became owner and operator of a Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep dealership, which became one of the largest car dealerships in Vermont.[3]
A Republican, Kennedy was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1960. He served seven terms, 1961 to 1975, and was Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1975.[4]
In 1974, Kennedy was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor, losing to incumbent Thomas P. Salmon.[5]
After losing the race for governor, Kennedy served as Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party from 1975 to 1976, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Vermont House in 1976.[6]
In retirement, Kennedy resided in Florida. He died in Sarasota on January 22, 1997.[7][8][9][10]
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