Bruce A. Kennedy, formerly of Melrose, MA, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He left this world on his 83rd birthday, a date that also marked his wedding anniversary with his cherished late wife, Rita (Griffin) Kennedy, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.

Born in Boston in 1943, Bruce was raised in Watertown by his parents, Robert and Catherine (Hurley) Kennedy. He was the beloved brother of Robert B. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, and Kathleen (Kennedy) Flinn. A graduate of the Watertown High School Class of 1961, Bruce went on to serve his country in the United States Army for three years, including a posting in Karlsruhe, Germany.

In 1967, he married the love of his life, Rita, a spirited Irishwoman from Kiltullagh, County Galway. After living in Wakefield, they made their home on Stratford Road in Melrose, where their door was always open to family, friends, and neighbors. Together they raised four children - Ann Marie, Michelle, Michael, and Lorraine - who were the center of their world.

Bruce worked as an independent distributor for Pepperidge Farm for more than 30 years. A hard-worker, he began his delivery route long before sunrise six days a week, supplying local grocery stores with bread, Goldfish and Milano cookies. Sundays were reserved for golf, and he was a longtime member of Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose. Summer vacations were spent in Sandwich on Cape Cod, where the family made many happy memories. In retirement, Bruce and Rita enjoyed several joyful years near the beach in Town Neck, welcoming visits from their children and grandchildren.

After Rita's untimely passing in 2006, Bruce found comfort in the warmth of Florida, first in Fort Myers and later in Naples, where he enjoyed golfing year-round. He spent his final years in Wilmington, DE, being lovingly cared for by his daughter Michelle and the compassionate staff of the Kutz Rehabilitation Center.

Bruce is survived by his loving children: Ann Marie Kennedy of Raleigh, NC and her partner, Keith Hayes; Michelle Coulter and her husband, Steven, of Wilmington, DE; Michael Kennedy and his wife, Teri, of Tacoma, WA; and Lorraine Burke and her husband, Peter, of Melrose. He was the cherished grandfather of Brendan, Margaret, Benjamin, Jacob, Ronan, and Yvonne. He also leaves behind his devoted sister, Kate Flinn and her husband, Randy, of Pismo Beach, CA; sisters-in-law Pat Kennedy of West Roxbury, Diane Kennedy of Naples, FL, Anne Griffin of County Dublin, Ireland, Kathleen Griffin of County Meath, Ireland, and Sheila O'Brien of Dedham; along with many loving nieces and nephews. He 

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Bruce’s life during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, April 9 from 4-7pm, and for his Funeral Mass at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, on Friday, April 10 at 11am. (Please meet directly at Church). Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bruce’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada St., #201, Newton, MA. 02460 or at www.alz.org.