Robert J. Kennedy Sr., 84, a longtime butcher and union leader, died Saturday, June 10, of kidney failure and heart problems in Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights. Mr. Kennedy, a longtime Oak Lawn resident, was born in Lowell, Mass., and moved to Chicago when he was 9. After graduating from grammar school and high school at St. Leo’s in Chicago, he briefly worked in the railroad industry before becoming a butcher. He spent most of his meat-cutting years working with the National Tea Co. and the California Food Mart, both in Chicago. In 1945, he joined Local 546 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. After serving on various Local 546 committees and as a delegate to the Amalgamated Meat Cutters International Convention in 1960, Mr. Kennedy was elected to the executive board of Local 546 in January 1961. In August 1968, he was elected president and chairman of the executive board of the local. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1981. During his tenure, Mr. Kennedy fought for fair wages and benefits, said his wife, Mary. He also served as executive board member of the Chicago Federation of Labor and Industrial Union Council AFL-CIO. In his spare time, Mr. Kennedy enjoyed playing baseball. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Robert J. Jr.; two stepsons, William and Michael Cramarosso; three stepdaughters, Donna Lee Roll, Nancy Varga and Kathryn Lindner; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. A mass will be said at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Germaine Church, 4240 W. 98th St., Oak Lawn.
