Posted on: Saturday, September 1, 2001

Francis Kennedy Jr., firefighters union leader, dead at 59

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Francis J. Kennedy Jr., business manager for the Hawai'i Fire Fighters Association Local 1463 for more than 30 years, died yesterday morning at his Hawai'i Kai home. He was 59.

Kennedy was born Nov. 2, 1941, and graduated from St. Louis School in 1959. He joined the Honolulu Fire Department in 1964 and served as a firefighter until 1972.

Kennedy's father was a longtime labor leader in Hawai'i, so it made sense when the younger Kennedy was asked in 1970 to help build the fledgling Hawai'i Fire Fighters Association union.

He is credited with developing the business manager position and strengthening the union that represents 1,800 firefighters in all four counties and at the state airports.

Union president Bobby Lee said last night that Kennedy fought for better pay and benefits, as well as improved living conditions for the state's firefighters. But Lee said Kennedy also had the public's interest in mind.

He credited Kennedy with developing the state's collective bargaining law. He also fought for mandatory random drug testing of firefighters.

"Drugs could also affect fellow firefighters. We worked at trying to better the environment, not just for the firefighters, but for the public too," Kennedy said.

Kennedy's labor activities also went beyond the firefighters union. In 1971, Gov. John Burns appointed Kennedy to serve on the first Hawai'i Labor Relations Board, a position he held until 1979.

He also served as a labor arbitrator and worked on several boards, including the Aloha United Way.

Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi would often be on the opposite side of the negotiating table. But the chief said he considered Kennedy a great friend.

"He was a terrific guy who had a way about him that was very positive and easygoing," Leonardi said "He always had a different perspective and different way of looking at things. Whenever we got into a bind, after a couple of days he would always come up with a solution that was equitable for everybody."

Kennedy is survived by his wife, Hazel; four children; and 11 grandchildren.