N. Billerica and Gloucester - Daniel Patrick Kennedy, a lifelong servant of country, community, and family, passed away on February 11th, 2026, in Burlington, MA.

Born in Lowell, MA to Susan (Corkum) and Martin Kennedy, Dan was drawn to service at a young age as an altar server at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Billerica. He joined the Marine Corps as a young adult, and was a member of one of the first units on the ground during Operation Desert Storm. He deeply cherished his travels and dear friendships made through his time in the Corps.

Upon his return stateside, Dan met Christina Ferlisi of Woburn, and they moved to Gloucester when he joined the Gloucester Fire Department, where he worked for 28 years until his retirement in 2023. Dan became the city's first ever fire lieutenant in 2014, a role he studied and worked hard for and was proud to represent the city he loved. The GFD gave Dan, Christina, and their daughters Grace and Laura lifelong friendships and a strong community bonded by love and shared sacrifice.

St. Ann Church was a beacon of light for Dan and his family. He was so proud to see the girls be baptized, receive First Communion, serve as altar servers, and participate in Epiphany pageants in the warm, welcoming faith community. The annual outdoor mass during St. Peter's Fiesta was a highlight for the whole family.

Dan's daughters were the center of his world. With his unique work schedule, he became the go to carpool driver, field trip chaperone, and talent show stage manager. He loved going to Grace's Bishop Fenwick basketball games, and spent many of his Father's Days at Laura's dance recitals. He encouraged the girls to try everything and never count themselves out, and was there to cheer them on no matter the outcome.

Dan had many hobbies and enjoyed any activity involving the outdoors or creativity. He loved playing chess and other board games with the girls, going to the movies, or checking out historymuseums. Dan enjoyed making model airplanes, tending his garden, learning to cook, and traveling the world. He had fond memories of trips to Rhode Island to visit Laura and Grace at Roger Williams and Salve Regina Universities, respectively. An avid reader and learner, he waspursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology from UMass Lowell, with a goal of working with veterans and their mental health.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura, of Washington, DC, and Grace, of Woburn; sister, Elizabeth Kelly and her husband Brian of Billerica; brother, Jason and wife Karen, and niece, Brooke of Nashua, New Hampshire, and nephews, Johnny and Nick Giasullo and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann Church, Holy Family Parish on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be held in Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gloucester Fire Department Relief Association, 8 School Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Attn. Relief Association or Bishop Fenwick High School, 99 Margin Street, Peabody, MA 01960 Attn. In memory of Dan Kennedy P '17,'19).

For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com.