Michael J. Kennedy, Jr.

Michael J. Kennedy, Jr., 89, died June 11, 2011 at Billings Health and Rehabilitation. He was born on April 17, 1922 in Billings, to Michael J., Sr. and Leta Kennedy. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1940. He served in the Air Force during WWII. On June16, 1951, he married Ailene Laulo in Fort Benton, Montana. They moved to Chicago where Mike received his formal art training at the American Academy of Art, and worked in the art departments of Montgomery Ward and Spiegel catalogs. Mike and Ailene moved back to Billings where he worked at Billings Neon, Reporter Printing, and retired from Trott Printing Company in 1984. Mike was a true public servant, and served on the City Council for 2 ½ terms, the Planning Commission, City Traffic Commission, Billings Housing Authority, Airport Commission and Montana Board of Housing.

Mike was a talented artist and member of the Billings Art Association. Several of his paintings are scattered throughout Billings, the state of Montana and Juneau, AK. He also won several blue ribbons for his paintings at the fair, and won two or three trophies and several honorable mentions for the Billings Gazette Christmas display contests. Mike was a past Grand Knight and a member of 4th Degree for the Knights of Columbus. He also served as an Elks officer for over 30 years. Mike and Ailene would have been married 60 years on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

Mike enjoyed spending time at the family homestead cabin in Columbus, meeting his City Councilchums at Walt's Barber Shop, coffee with the guys at the Travel Cafe, the dinners and trips taken with their Gourmet Club, the trips he and Ailene took with the Montana Board of Housing, and their wonderful trip to the old sod, Ireland.

Mike is survived by his wife, Ailene, and two daughters, Kay Kennedy (Ryan, Rory and Ross Bunn), and Michelle (Rod) Hartman, and step-grandchildren, Aly Hartman (Angel, Tre, Xavier and Dominique), and Melissa and Justin Becker (Dylan and Zachary). Mike is also survived by his Sister-in-law, Marge Kennedy, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and several kind, caring, special neighbors and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Eleanor Conover, and brother, Bill Kennedy.

You are our hero. You served your Country and community well. You made us laugh, and were a tremendous Dad, a caring, loving husband and grandpa, and a friend to so many who went before you. You will always be a major part of our hearts, lives and treasured memories. The world was a better place because of you.

A memorial vigil will be held at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at 7:00p.m., and a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at 10:00a.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Church or the charity of one's choice.

Remembrances

To the Kennedy Family and dear Ailene,
We will always cherish the memories of Michael. Gayle and I have nothing but treasured experiences with the two of you. It never seemed to matter how much time passed between our chance meetings or planned encounters, Mike always had a kiss and a hug for Gayle and a joke or a story for me. I will miss his recollection of Billings' history both politically and experientially. His paintings will always bear testament to his life experiences and I doubt many people will ever be able to say they lived the life that Mike enjoyed.
Many things will be said about this kind and generous man we could only echo the comments of so many whose lives he touched. But count us in the masses who met him, feel better for having known him, feel fortunate for having been considered his friend, and ache at his loss because we loved him.
He will be missed but not forgotten.
Gayle and John

To Mike's family,

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mike was such a wonderful man and a wealth of knowledge. I met Mike years ago in the Billings Arts Association and feel very privileged to have known him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, love & hugs, Jacquie Kittson