A gift for future generations

The late John Kennedy (1924-2020)

John Kennedy, the son of a shipwright, grew up in Merrylands NSW.

John enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce at the age of 18 in 1942 and served overseas in New Guinea. On his return to Australia at war’s end, he commenced a Law degree at the University of Sydney and later established a very successful legal practice in Liverpool.

He was involved in several community activities and was passionate about supporting businesspeople relocating to Australia from overseas.

Later in life, John had a heart attack, which he had initially thought was indigestion. He was hospitalised and underwent open heart surgery and later became a proud member of the 'Zipper Club' based out of the Royal North Shore Hospital, where he received post cardiac care advice including health, diet, and exercise.

After his recovery, John joined a walking club, and walked every week for the rest of his life, continued his exercise with the Zipper Club and was very careful with his diet.

John's first interaction with the Heart Foundation was through a direct mail appeal in 1997 where he made his first donation. In 2008, he told us that he had left a gift in his Will to the Heart Foundation.

In 2017 following a fall, John went into care where he spent the last three years of his life. He died in 2020 while NSW was just coming out of lockdown.

John left the Heart Foundation a quarter of his estate.

John’s generous gift will support Vision 2050, to make the generation who will turn 50 in 2050 the healthiest generation of Australians ever. His gift will also go on to fund vital research to save lives and improve the health outcomes of many Australians.

The Heart Foundation is grateful for gifts in Wills supporters like John who made the important and kind decision many years ago to leave a legacy that would impact future generations.