Irving P. Kennedy

Irving Paterson Kennedy, age 78, of Deerbrook, WI and Fort Myers, FL died peacefully Monday at his home in Fort Myers. Irv was born September 4, 1931 in Waukesha, WI to the late Scott and Helen (Green) Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy graduated from Waukesha High School and then University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1954, where he met his wife, Joyce Arnold. They were united in marriage on August 29, 1954 in Madison, WI.Irv began his teaching career at Cushing School in Delafield, WI. In 1957 they moved to Madison, where he taught and coached basketball at Frank Allis School. He went on to teach and continue coaching at Ray Sennett School and La Follette High School. In his 36 years of teaching, Irv loved "almost" everyday of it. He was a true sports enthusiast and especially enjoyed his years of coaching basketball as assistant to Pete Olson at La Follette High School. In 2003, Irv was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Basketball Hall of Fame as a friend of basketball. Following his retirement, Irv and Joyce enjoyed their time at Long Lake near Kempster, WI and Pine Ridge in Fort Myers, FL. Irv volunteered at Lee Memorial Hospital, was very active in organizing social events at Pine Ridge and was a member of All Souls Episcopal Church in Fort Myers. He was also a member of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Antigo. Irv was a member of the ELKS Lodge in Antigo and a former member of Bass Lake Country Club.Irv wore many hats: husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, coach, and friend.In addition to his wife, survivors include 2 sons Jeff (Cara) of Burnsville, MN and Jay (Melissa) of Oxford, PA; 6 grandchildren Mark and Lindsey Reichwein, Erin (Andrew) Fiege, and Kristen, Ryan and Matthew Kennedy and a brother William Kennedy of Deerbrook, WI.Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Leslie Kennedy.