A memorial service for the Rev. Dana Forrest Kennedy — rector of Christ & Holy Trinity Church from 1961 to 1990, and a towering figure in Westport religious and civic circles — is set for this Tuesday (November 5), at 2 p.m. in the chancel.
Rev. Kennedy died last month in Keene, New Hampshire. He was 95.
Under his leadership, the parish added a church building and 3 houses in the heart of downtown. He established and became headmaster of the pre-school.
Rev. Dana Forrest Kennedy
Rev. Kennedy traveled throughout the country helping dioceses develop radio and TV programming. For 13 years he moderated a nationally syndicated radio interview program, “Viewpoint.” It was broadcast on the WOR radio network, Radio Free Europe and the Armed Forces Overseas Network. His guests included Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Jessica Tandy, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and Jackie Robinson.
Rev. Kennedy was a 50-year Mason, a longtime member of Rotary, and had a lifetime membership in the Society of the Mayflower Descendants and the Sons of the American Revolution.
After he retired he wrote “My Very First Golden Bible,” for small children. It has sold more than 250,000 copies.
Rev. Kennedy’s wife of 54 years, Muriel Hallett Kennedy, predeceased him. He is survived by a son Michael, of Trumbull, 3 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Father Kennedy was a great man and way ahead of his time, from the pulpit at CHT to his weekly show on WMMM AM and WWPT FM, He commanded respect and love, and those of us that worshiped with him had much of both for the man. I will always remember his strong voice, stronger faith and great love and service to all around him.
He was my friend and rector throughout my childhood and teenaged years until I went away to college. I can still hear his beautiful voice and I still have the prayer book he inscribed to me at my confirmation.