John E. Kennedy Jr., 79, formerly of Chestnut Hill, a project engineer, died Sept. 30 of multiple myeloma at his home in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Until his retirement, Mr. Kennedy was a senior project manager for Perks Reuter Associates. Working with engineer Harry M. Perks, he supervised construction projects for the Philadelphia Zoo and the School District of Philadelphia. Mr. Perks died Sept. 29.

Earlier he had worked for Fry Consultants Inc., a division of the Day & Zimmerman engineering firm in Philadelphia, where he managed the firm's local engineering projects. He also had worked a market development manager at E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

Born in State College, Pa., he was a graduate of State College High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in business administration from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He served as president of the Darden Alumni Board from 1986 to 1990.

Mr. Kennedy was a longtime member of the Racquet Club of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Cricket Club. He had lived in Chestnut Hill for more than 30 years before moving to Florida more than a decade ago.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy K. Kennedy; daughters Suzanne Gallup and Jennifer Dell'Erba; stepsons Russ Allen and Greg Allen; a stepdaughter, Kimberly Allen; a brother; four grandchildren, and six step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Jean Scovel Kennedy.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Tenth Presbyterian Church, 1700 Spruce St., in Philadelphia. A reception will follow at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, 215 S. 16th St. Burial is private. – WF