Liz Merritt (Lord)

So sorry to hear about Craig's passing.  He was such a nice nice guy.  I met him in 6th grade in homeroom class with Mrs. Grant.  I played golf with the junior golf team from La Canada with his wife Leslie.  Prayers to your family Leslie and God Bless Craig....

Scott Wartenberg

I am sorry to hear of Craig’s passing.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Leslie and their children.  

When we were in 8th grade, I approached Craig about the possibility of forming a band with him as lead singer and me on lead guitar.  He was interested and we recruited Rob Lindstrum (rhythm guitar), Steve Torborn (bass) and Rob Cole (drums).  Kurt Kutay became our manager and after selecting “The Henchmen” for our band name and driving our parents and neighbors nuts with our band practices (Sorry Tom and Anita!), we soon performed for the school assembly, La Canada talent show, LCHS assembly, a Youth house dance and Battle of the Bands.  We moved to Alexandria Egypt during 9th grade and the Henchmen disbanded.

 Though we were just kids, I will never forget the energy that Craig brought to the stage performing Stones covers like “Last Time,” and many other hits of the day.  I know I fed off of his charisma and talent in my playing and performing.  Well, little did I realize that my “Last Time” with Craig would be the 40th reunion.  Though we didn’t become the rock stars we longed to be, we found other careers that gave us much “Satisfaction!”  

A few years ago, I came across a few Henchmen memorabelia (concert programs, PR photos, and newspaper clippings) that my dear Mom had collected and saved.  That 1960 Fender Jazzman is still in the family.  What treasures they are to me now.  Without Craig, there would have been no Henchmen band.  

I’ve had the privilege to travel around the world several times over.  I have performed with top-shelf musicians over years, and my grandfather became a Nashville Hall of Fame Singer/songwriter, but some of my happiest memories were playing guitar on stage with Craig.  Rest in peace Craig...you were an amazing performer!

Kurt Kutay

Just watched a Beatles tribute band tonight and smiled the whole way through, mostly visualizing Craig Kennedy in his moccasins flitting across the stage ala Mick Jagger. As manager of The Henchmen I wasn’t as lucky as Brian Epstein (until he bowed out of life), but we had hella fun when the band was together. I was in a Latin American Nueva Cancion political folk group in university and loved it but never had near the stage presence as Craig Kennedy. Love to his wife and family 

Anita Nelson

Craig was always a very nice person and friendly to everyone.   I was fortunate to see him at my nephew's wedding in Denver several years ago as my sister-in-law is Leslie's sister.  It is always sad to loose a class mate.  

The funeral will be this Friday, November 17th at 10:30 am at Saint Michaels & All Angels Episcopal Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA

Donations may be made in his name to Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 8113, Newport Beach, CA  92658.

Garrett Hildebrand

Thanks, Anita.

Garrett Hildebrand

Leslie Kennedy sent me this message today, which is info about
Craig's funeral service this Friday and a request for pictures of
Craig. Please share with our classmates.
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Dear Family and Friends

It is with a heavy heart that we come to you to announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Craig Kennedy. Craig passed away in the early hours Wednesday morning, November 8th. Unfortunately, he lost the battle with cancer that he had been fighting.

The entire family thanks everyone for their outpouring of love and support through this difficult time. All of the well-wishes and kind gestures over the past months have meant a lot to our family and to Craig.

If you would like to attend his funeral service on Friday, November 17th at 10:30 it will be held at:
Saint Michaels & All Angels Episcopal Church
3233 Pacific View Drive
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

In lieu of flowers, we would love for donations to be made in his name to:
Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Foundation
P.O. Box 8113
Newport Beach CA 92658

Lastly, we request that if you have photos you would like to share of Craig, please email them to Leslie, Katy, and Evan Kennedy. The entire family would really appreciate it.

Love,
Leslie, Katy and Evan
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I've replaced the email address Leslie placed in that last paragraph so that web crawlers can't find it. If you click on the mailto link I substituted, your default email tool will open in composition mode. If you'd rather have the email address for later use, copy it out of the message and close it, then paste it somewhere to save it. Alternately, you can piece it together from this: craigwasprettyamazing at-sign gmail dot com