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Three months after his death in July, friends and supporters of District 3 Councilmember John Kennedy hung a banner Monday on a freeway overpass on Orange Grove Boulevard above the 210 Freeway honoring his memory.
The banner, which was paid for by more than a dozen community members, read, “Councilman John Kennedy, a true friend and servant of the Pasadena community, we miss you dearly. We will see you again in the Promised Land. In deepest gratitude, thank you, John.”
“Losing John was a big loss to this community, because he was such a big influence to Pasadena,” said former Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny, standing on the sidewalk, as 210 traffic roared underneath.
“He represented everyone, not just the people in District 3,” Freeny added. “He was always just a phone call away. You could call John and John would pick up the phone. He was just someone who was always very supportive and caring for people.”
District 3 Liaison Susana Porras has maintained Councilmember Kennedy’s office since his death. Porras pointed out that the office continues to do the Councilmember’s work, in the face of the loss.
“This has been almost insurmountable,” said Porras. “It’s just such an incredible loss. He was always so busy with so many things in Pasadena and he really worked to educate himself on all the issues in the city. He would spend hours reviewing documents on things that he was going to vote on. I hope that people take something from that example.”
State Commissioner Dr. Phlunte Riddle, a longtime friend of Kennedy’s, also spoke to the magnitude of the loss, saying, “I’m still in disbelief. I find myself having to remind myself that he is gone because John was such a force, and he was so readily available to not just his constituents, but friends. We’ve been friends for so long. Both our families grew up here.”
Riddle added that what has been the most difficult for her is reading articles and hearing discussions about the current campaign to fill the office.
“I know that has been painful for the family,” she said. “John was not a seat. He was a person, and meant a great deal to us, and to his family. It’s important to remember that his love for this community began as a child growing up here. It’s not just about a seat.”
A public memorial service for Kennedy will be held on Friday.
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