John B. Kennedy Sworn In As Town Manager-This Day in Norwood History-June 1, 1950

TJohn B. Kennedy Assumes Duties as Norwood’s New Town Manager

NORWOOD — May 31, 1947 — The magnitude of the work awaiting John B. Kennedy, Norwood’s newly appointed Town Manager, will not trouble him in the least. Sworn in last Friday and officially taking office Monday morning at Town Hall, Mr. Kennedy arrived prepared, confident, and eager to begin.

Although he declined to outline specific plans at this early stage, Mr. Kennedy said he intends to conduct a comprehensive study of the entire town government structure, after which he will meet with the Board of Selectmen to discuss recommendations.

“I’m grateful to all the members of the Board of Selectmen,” he said. “Even those who did not vote for me have entered into the spirit of cooperation. We expect to go forward and do a good, clean, honest, and courageous job of administering the affairs of the Town of Norwood, in order that we may make one of the best towns in the Commonwealth into the best town.”

A Winthrop Native With a Distinctive Style

Born in Winthrop on “the first day of the last month of the first year of the twentieth century”—December 1, 1900—Mr. Kennedy brings both humor and candor to his new role. Friendly and affable, he has a straightforward manner and a quick wit.

Asked about his slight Irish brogue, he replied, “Oh, that’s because my mother was a Colleen.”

He describes himself as “the worst pitcher Winthrop High School ever had,” but proudly notes he was the school’s best high‑jumper. Basketball, he says, he played as “a plain, ordinary garden variety” athlete.

Standing just over six feet tall, he hopes he still weighs “215 pounds and no more.” On his first day, he wore a blue worsted suit with a conservative tie and matching socks.

Family Man and Civic Leader

Mr. Kennedy calls his family his hobby. He is a devoted husband and father who enjoys football, baseball, and the occasional play. He is active in civic and fraternal organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Holy Name Society in Winthrop. He is also a past president of the Winthrop Rotary Club and serves on the Finance Committee of the New England Water Works Association.

He is one of four children of John J. Kennedy and the late Helen Kennedy. After attending Winthrop Grammar and High Schools, he pursued extensive evening studies in engineering at Franklin Union, Massachusetts Extension University, and Wentworth Institute. He recently completed a Boston University course for city and town managers.

Career in Water Management

Following high school, Mr. Kennedy entered the plumbing and heating field, later opening his own plumbing supply business in 1929. That same year, he was elected Water Commissioner of Winthrop. With the onset of World War II and material shortages, he sold his business and accepted a full‑time position as Manager of the Winthrop Water Department in 1940.

During his tenure, he supervised over one million dollars in construction, gaining the administrative and engineering experience that led to his selection as Norwood’s Town Manager.

A New Home in Norwood

Before school opens in the fall, Mr. Kennedy hopes to move to Norwood with his wife, Mary (Dervan) Kennedy, whom he married twenty years ago at St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop, and their daughters Ellen, 15, and Patricia, 13.

Mrs. Kennedy, an accomplished musician and former concert singer, was well known to radio audiences as a soloist on the old Lovell and Covell Hour.

A Champion of Youth Programs

Mr. Kennedy expressed particular enthusiasm for Norwood’s recreation program.

“I am happy to find in the Town of Norwood a recreation program all set up,” he said. “I will bend every effort to help out the program so that your children and mine will have every opportunity to participate in activities that will develop them into fine, forward‑looking young men and women.”

He looks forward to becoming a resident and has already become one of the town’s strongest boosters.

By Betty Ann Fisher

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