Obituary of Oliver S. Kennedy

Oliver Sean O’Neil Kennedy was born in New York City on April 23, 1973.  On December 1^st, 2023 surrounded by family and friends, Oliver transitioned to be with those that preceded him in Heaven.  Oliver is survived by his loving parents, Winston and Patricia Kennedy, his sister Natalie Kennedy, and nephew, DuJuan Sellers. In addition, his loyal friends, and extended family members will always remember him fondly. Although he did not have children of his own, he was an amazing and present father figure to his nephew DuJuan as well as his many friends’ children. 

Affectionately known as Oli, Ol, Oxx, Big O, and Bean, Oliver grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and later in South Orange, NJ, from age 9. He attended Jefferson Elementary School, South Orange Middle School, and Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ. Oliver’s love of sports led him to be a part of everything from little league baseball all the way up to the wrestling team at Columbia High School.

Oliver would further his education at the prestigious Hampton University in Virginia, where he would go on to study Business Administration.  His love for the news and entrepreneurialism started at an early age. He would wake up early, in the mornings, and walk down to the local corner store to assemble the Sunday New York Times; something he did so that he could earn enough to catch the bus to go shopping at the Union Market for the latest “fly gear.” Eventually, his zeal for the finer things in life and fancy cars would land him at the storied doors of the largest newspaper in NJ, The Star-Ledger. Throughout his nearly 30-year tenure at “the ledger,” Oliver’s strong work ethic and people skills would allow him to work his way up from the mailroom to a pivotal role within the newly developed Pre-Press Digital Tech department. 

Oliver had a love of fishing that was formed as a child. He spent many days bonding over this shared love with his father and it continued to be his north star throughout all the years he traveled up to Massachusetts and beyond. His Aunt Olivene likes to share the following story…at about age 14, his dad took him deep-sea fishing at Las Olas, in Ft Lauderdale, FL.  Oliver caught a huge Amberjack, which received a lot of attention when the boat returned to the dock. Many people, including his dad, took pictures with the huge fish. For several months the picture of his dad with the fish could not be found. Oliver later confessed that he hid the picture because he didn’t want his dad to tell anyone that it was his catch (and not Oliver’s).

When not out fishing out at his happy place of Martha’s Vineyard, Oliver could be found cracking jokes with friends, watching sports, and generally being the background analyst and life of any party. 

In addition to his passion for life, music, and METS baseball, Oliver loved flowers and gardening, an interest he shared with his mother. Frequently he could be seen in the backyard of his home tilling in the soil, getting dirty rearranging all of the plants and pots, and playing with his beloved pets. Oliver’s big heart and zeal for life and travel allowed him to love and to be loved by everyone around him. We all know of his love of Martha’s Vineyard, however his travels outside of the US were vast, and often; One day you could be sitting on the beaches of the Dominican Republic, Saint Maarten, or Jamaica, and just like that Oliver might appear out of nowhere, pull up next to you with his infectious smile and gentle soul and make you feel at home.

Oliver not only loved to travel he also LOVED his dogs and all animals! His last gift to the world and his phenomenal mother and dad was a brand-new puppy. Named, NACHO, after the famed “Yo Quiero” Taco Bell dog, NACHO is rambunctious, loud, and loving; just like Oliver!  Oliver