May you be in Heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead. ~ Irish toast
Timothy Joseph “Bert” Kennedy born August 1st, 1949 in Portland, Oregon, died peacefully in his sleep at his home of natural causes November 28, 2012 at the age of 63. He went home to the open and loving arms of his Mother and Father, William and Louise (Gross) Kennedy.
Tim graduated from Central Catholic High-School in Portland, Oregon 1967 and from Carroll College in Helena Montana in 1971 A Latin and Greek. Major Tim married Jenny Broderick in August of 1971 and studied for a short time at the University of Hawaii, also in Chicago completing his course work for a Masters in the classics at the University of Oregon. Returning to Helena in 1974 Tim opened the doors of Bert & Ernie’s Saloon and Eatery with his college friend Thomas McCarvel, nicknamed and forever known as “Bert and Ernie”.
Tim loved his restaurant and it flourished to be a great place for friends and family to gather. On June 16, 1977 Tim and Jenny gave birth to a daughter, Emily Ruth Kennedy. They later divorced and Tim went on to open two more Bert & Ernie’s in Great Falls and Billings Montana with the help of Jack King and Mark Kennedy, Tim’s brother and best friend. Tim moved to Billings in 1980 to run Bert & Ernie’s and met Patty Meek. They later moved back toHelenaand welcomed a son, Ryan Patrick Kennedy born October 15, 1985. Tim left the business to be a grant writer for the State of Montana, later to work a Career Training Institute for many years. Tim opened another restaurant in memory of his mother Louise. Moms Soup and Salad shared Tim’s devotion and love of good food to all.
Tim had a great love for the theater and was Past President of Grandstreet Theatre and a Co-Founder of the Helena Theater Company involved in acting, producing and directing many plays from college until his death. Tim loved his family and gave them all he had. In March of 2003 his first grandchild Gabriel was born followed by granddaughter Lily in 2005. In addition to the births of his own children these were the happiest days of his life.
Tim will be remembered as a philosopher, actor, fly fisherman, amazing cook, loving son, brother father and grandfather, Tim was a loving man who would give his hand to anyone in need. Dad we will miss you terribly, wanting just one more talk, one more hug or piece of advice. Tim was an amazing, brilliant and loving man who was preceded in death by his mother and father.
Tim’s legacy will live on with his daughter, Emily Ruth Kennedy and grandchildren Gabe Kennedy and Lily Kennedy, his son, Ryan Patrick Kennedy and his brothers and sisters; Robert Edward (Joann) Kennedy of Vancouver, Washington; Maureen (John) Chinakos of Portland; Mark (Shauna) Kennedy of Billings, Montana; and Anne (Brian) Huggins of Canby Oregon and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Vigil service will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 4th at Retz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at 12 p.m., Wednesday, December 5th at the Cathedral of St. Helena. A fellowship social will follow at the Myrna Loy Center, 15 N. Ewing, after the service for sharing and story telling. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up at Valley Bank of Helena, PO Box 5269, Helena, MT 59604. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Bert, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 4, 2012
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Mass of Christian Burial
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 5, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
1:15 p.m.
Wednesday December 5, 2012
Myrna Loy Center
15 N. Ewing
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 4, 2012
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Mass of Christian Burial
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 5, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
1:15 p.m.
Wednesday December 5, 2012
Myrna Loy Center
15 N. Ewing
Helena , Montana 59601
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Anne Kennedy Huggins says
My big brother, Tim was one of the kindest people I know! I loved him very much, and even though we are sad, I know he is happily visiting with my mom and dad.
Jim McDonald says
So sad to hear of Tim’s passing. My condolances to his family. Having graduated from Carroll together with many fond memories. The sparkle in his eyes always suggested a wee bit of the devil, creativity and kindness. Sleep well my friend and rest in peace.
Neil Connole says
Quite simply a wonderful individual who led a great life. He used his mind, heart, conscience, sense of humor to the fullest. Certainly his great accomplishment was his dedication to teaching the downtrodden over the years: He was dignified, respected, caring to so many from years at the Career Training Institute, to reading teacher to the jailed to finally his last 4 years instructing women at the Boyd Andrews Rehabilitation Center in Boulder. He was one of the few men in a lot of their lives who they found trust and love. His son, Ryan was pretty much raised by him and is handling this loss with admirable strength and maturity. Raising Ryan the way he did was really his greatest accomplishment.
Bob Andersen says
Some called you “Tim”, some “Bert”. I called you “Coach”. The several years we coached 13 year old Babe Ruth baseball together are some of my most cherished baseball memories. Thank you for sharing your time and baseball coaching talents with me. We culminated our coaching career together in the season we were finally lucky enough to have Ryan on our team, and it was a great year for both of us (Ryan too I hope). Thanks Tim, a wonderful friend.
Beverly Fox says
I first got to know Tim when we were cast in “Long Days Journey into Night” in 1991. I’m so sad he has left us. I remember long talks about our characters in the play and life in general. What an interesting and generous man and a wonderful actor — great fun to work with. When I learned he was working with the women in Boulder, I told him they were all going to fall in love with him. How could they help it.
Randi Taylor says
I always knew Tim as “Bert”. I am the daughter of Patty Meek, and Ryan is my brother, Emily my God given sister, for all who do not know me. He was my “summer Dad”, but to be honest, probably out of every man in this world he was my “second Dad”. I will always remember our family trip to Glacier Park in his Datson when Ryan finally lost the wart on his finger,(the biggest wart to this day that I have ever seen), which we all called “The Big One”. I am sure that the thing fell off mainly due to all our own “little solutions” of how to get rid of it……. He was the first and only person I have ever fly fished with, and man was he a pro at it. I was always amazed at how intelligent he was, and I had all kinds of questions for him :), but he never got tired of giving the answers. I always admired that he owned a restaurant, and spent many hours down there with Emily acting out our future waitressing duties, and pretending to live the bar life. And boy did we act out some pretty nice plays ourselves for my mom and Bert, so naturally we admired his acting as well. I remember him buying Emily and I every single tape we wanted and believe me it was more than a couple ;). He inspired me in alot of ways, and even though I haven’t seen him in 5 years I remember him like it was yesterday. Rest In Peace Bert, and I am glad you get to see your parents again, I saw how you missed them. And I do believe you are at Peace. I look forward to seeing your hard work in Ryan pay off. Love, Randi
Ron Best says
I feel so lucky to count Tim as a close friend since second grade. For all these years, I have seen this man living his life in so many capacities but always with the same irrepressible cheer and composure. Tim was a cool guy who made those close to him feel a little happier.
It saddens me greatly to lose my pal. I’ll miss our phone chats about nothing much and I’ll think often of his great big smile. I love you, Tim. Rest in peace with the Lord.
Grace Gardiner says
I had the pleasure of working with Tim in “To Kill A Mockingbird” at GST and “Warren Street House” at Carroll. What can I say! He’s an incredible actor and a truly wonderful guy!
Bon voyage, Tim, and God bless.
Carly Radley Gillette says
I was so sad to hear the news about Bert and had to offer my condolences. We were good buddies in the early 70’s when Bert and Ernie (Tim and Tom) opened their 1st restaurant in the old iron front building. Mark Radley and I opened Carly’s Closet on the other side of the General Mercantile along with Pete and Marge from the Opera House and Joe and Angie from the Brew House. Along with Ray Domer in the General Mercantile we all became a family! We shared many good times and I will always remember “Bert” as someone that kept us all sane with his easy going attitude and fun loving spirit. My thoughts are with all of you.
Carly
Kent Taylor says
I have fond memories of Tim as a classmate at Central Catholic High School, and can clearly picture him. He always had a very welcoming smile and was a very good student. I even recall playing CYO basketball against him when he was a student at St. Rita’s grade school in Portland, OR. I’m sure that Tim and fellow high school classmates, Joe Moran and Mike Gutfleisch, are now having some great chats together! My prayers and blessings go out to Tim’s family and his many friends.
Kent Taylor
McMinnville, OR
Paul Summerlin says
I am close friends with his son, Ryan Kennedy. When they had Mom’s Soup shop, I would stop by several times a week to get a bowl of deliciousness. Although the soup was extremely tasteful and worth the price, that was not the reason I had gone in there so often. I went there to converse with Tim and the caring employee’s he had hired. At the time, I was going through some rough situations and if it hadn’t been for wise people, like Tim, who helped guide me by simply taking some time to talk to me like I was just as important as the next guy…..Well… Lets just say, I don’t even want to entertain the thought of where I would be today. Thanks for being a friend Tim! You will always be my friend….
Also, Ryan, thanks for being there for me when it counted most. You will always be my friend too!!!!
neil maloney says
what a sad day for all who knew tim. i’m so sorry for the families loss & for all of our loss. tim was a sweet & gentle man & we all have benefitted from his path crossing ours.
peace tim
Kim Kenney says
I’m so sad to learn of Tim’s passing. I haven’t seen him for many years but will always remember him as a kind, patient man surrounded by many that respected and cared for him deeply. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.
Ann Parsons says
I met Tim when he and Mark started Bert and Ernies in Billings. The 2 of them were so much fun together, and ran, not only a great restaurant, but was a fun gathering place. A group of us in the travel industry were there every Thursday night, and both Kennedy brothers became our friends. Mark is still a dear friend of mine, and I send my prayers to the whole Kennedy family. It is truly a great loss to all who knew him.
Mary Jacko Bence says
The Jacko family was shocked to read of Tim’s passing in the Oregonian today. Very, very sorry to hear this.
My condolences to the entire Kennedy clan.
Mary
Anne Jacko says
I can’t believe Tim is gone. I have so many great memories, especially from our teenage years. Tim was my first “official” boyfriend when we were 13, which meant that we walked together for a few blocks after school until I turned down one street to go home and he went the other way. 🙂 I always enjoyed seeing him in the years to follow.
My condolences to all the Kennedys.
— Anne
Dianna Pope says
My brother, Marvin, and I grew up next door to “Bobby” and ‘Timmy” on Tillamook Street in Portland, Oregon. Tim was about 2 when I first met him and I was 6 (the summer of 1951). His whole family was very important to me – especially his mother, Louise, who inspired me to become a nurse. We lost touch many years ago but Marv and I have thought of them often these past years. Just last night, before I saw his obituary, I was re-reading my copy of the book his father wrote in the fifties about Rosie the elephant coming to the Portland Zoo in which Bobby and Timmy were characters. My heart is breaking. I will let Marv know as soon as possible.
I would really like to hear from Bob or Maureen. I hope you will recieve the email address with this note.
My heart felt condolances and love to all of his family.
Dianna
Corbett, OR
Bob Riler says
I am so saddened to hear of Tim’s passing. I have wonderful memories of his antics in his younger years with our Wagon Train group – Sun Lakes, Lake Chelan, Blue Lake, etc. He was obviously grew into a Renaissance man and embraced much of what life is all about. My admiration of restaurateurs grew immensely, oddly enough, after a Scripture course on the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s whole premise is that God’s presence is best drawn out around meals. Whenever something special happens, it’s while enjoying food and savoring good drink. I think something clicked with Tim. May he now enjoy the eternal banquet and feast with family, friends and strangers alike. Peace to all his family.
Patty Meek says
Tim was my rock; he was also the love of my life. Although we never married, but talked about it, I spent half of my life with this compassionate, caring, wonderful and talented man. On the few occasions he allowed me to cook, he was always looking over my shoulder to make sure I was doing it “right”. He loved my potatoe salad, which I consider to be quite a compliment coming from the amazing cook that he was. This man could whip up a three course meal out of whatever was in the fridge; my daughter, Randi also remembers this about him. The greatest gift he ever gave me was our son, Ryan. He would and did everything and then some for “the boy”. When he lived with me in Helena, Tim would call to make sure he’d had vegetables for dinner.
I miss you terribly and always will. Rest in Peace, honey.
Patty