Mel Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy My wonderful Dad, I am so lucky I had you as my Dad. You and Mum made me who I am today and made me believe I could be whatever I wanted to be. You always put others first, including your family - you protected us and everything you did was for us. From the “Kennedy Mock Exams”, the million taxi rides to and from the pub, trips swimming, trips to the rugby, Wembley finals, chats about politics, chats about rugby, weekends in London when you came to visit..... I have so many memories of us together. For the last 4 years I cherished every day I had with you. Walking down the aisle with you by my side is my happiest memory of us together. I laugh to myself about you knocking over the confetti before the church doors opened. I could ask you anything and tell you anything; you would always help me and guide me to do the right thing. You will live on in me and everything I do I will carry you in my heart. I love you Dad, thank you for being the best Dad in the world. Love Jayne xxxx

Sue Kennedy Mel wasn’t just my husband he was my soul mate and best friend. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandad. We had 51 truly joyful years together and had the deepest love, happiest marriage and partnership that I could imagine. Most importantly he gave me two of the most amazing children in the world. Mel was my rock he was completely dedicated to his family in every way and Jayne and Mike’s strength over the past few weeks is the best sign that Mel is still here with us. Mel was so brave and strong over the last 4 years. I have wonderful memories of a loving husband, dad and grandad and I am grateful for every day we were together. I will miss him more than words can express. I loved him with all of my heart, I always have and always will. All my love now, forever and always. Sue xxxx

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Mike Kennedy I’m so lucky and blessed that you’re my dad. So many happy memories growing up with you by my side. Watching the Rugby at Central Park, first trip to Old Trafford, Swimming gala’s and Sunday league football. You were always there home and away without fail, Pitch side, totally dependable, always there rain, hail or snow. You were so supportive of me in everything I have done in my life so far and always encouraged me to push myself hard, strive for better and for that I’m truly grateful. I will miss your dependable wisdom, knowledge and advice which has guided me so much over the years. Always devoted to your family in everything you have done with me, Jayne and mum, a true example of a selfless gentleman and who I always looked up to. An amazing grandad to Halle, you’ve given her a great start as you did with us, your morals with live on in her. Love you dad, miss you. XX

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy We have known Mel all our married life and are proud to call him our friend. We have holidayed together, and been all over the country to watch rugby and cheer on our Wigan warriors. We went out regularly on Saturday night’s and enjoyed some legendary New Year’s Eve parties. Mel was a real gentleman very proud of his family and was extremely loyal. A fantastic friend who we will miss wholeheartedly but will never forget him. Me, Mel and Alan went to watch GB v Australia at Wembley it was Halloween night and there was a party at school we went for a drink after the game and ended up late for the train and just about got home and just got to the kids party as it was ending. Malc & Lorraine Dickinson

Jayne Kennedy I have known Mel for just short of 50 years and he was so much more than a friend to me, in fact, I would describe him as a brother in some respects. In my book of life, Mel would feature in all the chapters. He was a dedicated family man, who loved Sue with all his heart. When Jayne and Michael came along, the family was complete. He was very proud of his children and their achievements in the medical field. He was also a very proud father at the weddings of Michael and Laura and then Jayne and Damian and then along came granddaughter Halle, who brightened his day during those really difficult months. Outside of the family, he loved rugby league and was very knowledgeable about sport in general. In fact, not just sport, but anything that caught his eye. I found Mel to be very intelligent and you could have a real good conversation with him. He was professional in his work and this has rubbed off on his children. When we used to turn out round the bars in Wigan, back in the day, for our lads Friday night out, we used to be known as the ‘Chino Boys.’ It was whilst on the town that Mel would often bump into work colleagues and friends and then the conversations expanded to rugby,or football and I found out during these conversations that Mel himself was a decent soccer player in the Wigan Amateur League. It was during one of these conversations that one of his old junior school pals stated in pure Wiganeeze ‘This mon wuz cleverist int schoo.’ That made me smile. He would hold his own in any conversation, but if it was politics, then he held the gold medal. He was a staunch Labour supporter and would have made a great Councillor or even MP. Yes I have missed our Fridays out and my visits and walks with him during his illness. This awful disease has taken a really decent man far too soon, Mel you have fought hard, coupled with the COVID 19 situation as the same time. You have shown courage and dignity. You were loved by many and I myself have lots of lovely memories. It has been a privilege to have been Mel’s friend. He was loyal, honest and was all the things that a best friend should be. Mel asked for nothing, but gave a lot. Farewell my best friend and your memory will remain in my heart forever. Love always Joe xxxx

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy Message from Joe and Christine to a Dear Friend The way he took you just wasn’t right, It was so hard to just sit back and watch you fight, Knowing that soon you were going to leave, I was so sad that it was now my time to grieve, So farewell my friend and on you go, To the better place that we all know. Always in our hearts Joe and Christine x

Jayne Kennedy Love Joe and Christine xxx

Jayne Kennedy Mel was my uncle, he was a good family man, staunch wigan rugby fan, political analyst and loyal Labour man. I have fond memories as a child of riding my bike/car around his house and was amazed by the steepness of his back garden were he would say "Watch what your doing riding along that path". When I wasn't riding around I used to throw sticky bobs on the back of his jumper then run off haha.I never managed to get any stuck in his beard though. "damn". All wonderful memories and good fun for an 8year old boy. He was also a great support for me when I got older, he would come to my house and we would have conversations at length about politics,as you can imagine, we also had a common interest in history, especially old photo's of wigan and the people, places, houses and halls around the Borough. I'll miss our chats but remember then fondly. You will be sadly missed. R. I. P. Uncle Mel. Stuart Naylor

Jayne Kennedy Melvyn was my lovely, much loved brother. We grew up in various areas of Wigan and our family consisted of Mum, Dad, myself (Gwenda), Melvyn and Lorraine. Growing up we were close to our aunts, uncles and cousins who we saw frequently. As children we enjoyed our annual holidays and I have fond memories of them all, especially the Fancy dress competitions we always entered. It makes me smile when I remember one year in particular when Mel entered as Robin Hood and I was Maid Marion. Mum and Dad always allowed us to choose a present at the end of the holiday and one year Mel chose a Slazenger tennis racquet. Mel was a quiet little boy and a clever one too. He did well at school. I remember him meeting and later marrying Susan and then along came Jayne and Michael. He loved his family dearly and was quietly very proud of both his children who we spoke about often. When he retired we saw each other regularly and both enjoyed these times together, memories I will cherish forever He was wise, knowledgeable and helpful to me and had the ability to show me how to look at things from a different perspective. He will be sadly missed and I will always hold him in my heart. Rest in Peace Melvyn. Gwenda Naylor