Massachusetts State Senator Edward James Kennedy, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

The oldest child of the late Edward James Kennedy Sr. and Emily Kathleen (Kay) (Heslin) Kennedy, he was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts and graduated from Lowell High School. Ed went on to earn a degree in history from Boston University followed by a master’s degree in public administration from Fitchburg State University.A lifelong resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, Ed deeply loved giving back to his community and devoted many years of his life to public service. Elected as State Senator for the First Middlesex District in 2018, Ed is a four term member of the Massachusetts State Senate. In the Senate, Ed served as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets, and had previously served as the chair of Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. He was also the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. Ed also spent many years as County Commissioner for Middlesex County and as a City Councilor in Lowell, serving as Mayor of Lowell from 2016 to 2018.

Ed was a steadfast champion for local economic development and best practices in professional city government throughout his time on the Lowell City Council. As mayor, he led the movement to build a centrally located brand-new state of the art Lowell High School in the heart of Downtown Lowell, an effort he was particularly proud of, and he continued to champion throughout his time in the State Senate. When he ran for State Senate, he campaigned on delivering a major reform of the state’s education funding formula by supporting the Student Opportunity Act, which was signed into law during his first term. During his time as the chair of Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, Ed led the State Senate’s response to COVID-19 in the areas of arts and tourism, championing the state’s largest ever investment in the cultural sector. He also filed numerous pieces of legislation dealing with the environment, education, and infrastructure, including securing the $100 million bond authorization that led the way to the construction of the new Rourke Bridge. In addition to his legislative accomplishments, Ed always valued top notch constituent service for all who came to him with a request, knowing that the senator’s office was often a last resort for people in need.

Ed was happiest spending time with his family. He and Susan enjoyed nothing more than spending days with their children and grandchildren. Ever the outdoorsman, Ed loved hiking and spending days at the beaches of Maine with his family. Ed was an enthusiastic sports fan, making time to attend almost all his grandchildren’s various sporting events, and watching the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics with family. Ed also loved music and enjoyed attending concerts with friends and family. Ed had such a passion for life, and a constant curiosity for learning new things and meeting new people. Ed loved conversation and was always ready with a story. He was very much loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Ed leaves behind many loved ones including his lovely wife Susan, his son Edward J. Kennedy III and his wife Ashley R. Fairbank of Cape Neddick, ME; his daughter Christina E. Kennedy and her husband Matthew W. Miles of Chelmsford; three beloved grandchildren, Jackson E. Miles and Brayden M. Miles of Chelmsford; and Ellis R. Kennedy of Cape Neddick, ME. Ed leaves behind his two brothers, Francis Daniel (Dan) Kennedy of Lowell, MA, and John Kennedy and his wife Helen Kennedy of Dracut, MA; and his sister-in-law Judith Micozzi and her husband Andrew, and his brother-in law, John Kondra and his wife Doreen. Ed is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, a large, extraordinarily close group of cousins, and several dear friends with whom he shared wonderful memories, especially Frank Heslin and Jack McWilliams.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Kathleen, and by his sister Marianne Kennedy.

You are welcome to attend his calling hours on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 3 pm until 7 pm at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. His funeral will begin on Wednesday at the funeral home at 10 am, his funeral Mass will take place at 11 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, followed by procession for burial at Saint Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. https://www.glcfoundation.org/donate/