John L. "Jack" Kendall

Waltham - Mr. John L. "Jack" Kendall, of Waltham, died peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2014 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 92.

Jack was born in Manchester, New Hamphsire on March 6, 1922, a son of the late Albert and Bella (Genest) Kendall. He was raised in Somerville and had lived in Waltham for many years.

During World War II he joined the United States Navy and became a fighter pilot assigned to a Corsair squadron. After the war Jack began a thirty-four year career in the newspaper business, starting at the Boston Post and later with the Record American. He retired from the Boston Herald.

During his working years Jack was a member of the Naval Reserve, flying out of the Naval Air Stations at Squantum and South Weymouth. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

An avid sailor, he was a long-time member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club in Winthrop.

Jack was the husband of the late Mary R. (Matheson) Kendall and is survived by his son, John S. Kendall and his wife, Gayle, of Medfield; his daughter, Susan Kadzis and her husband, John, of Wayland; his grandchildren, Deborah Kendall Abernathy and her husband, Damon, of Bedford New Hampshire, John R. Kendall of Medfield and Steven L. Kendall of West Roxbury; his great-grandchildren, Kendall Abernathy and Tanner Abernathy of Bedford, New Hampshire and several nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late Alberta Kendall, Lawrence Kendall, Gertrude Kendall and Arthur James Kendall.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jack's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, May 15th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cure Dementia Program, c/o Shawn Fitzgibbons, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1310, Boston, MA 02114.