P. J. Kennedy

Patrick Joseph Kennedy (January 14, 1858 - May 18, 1929) was an American politician. He was the father of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr, and grandfather to former United States President John F. Kennedy.

Patrick was the son of poor Irish Roman Catholic immigrants to the United States. They settled in Boston, Massachusetts where Patrick became a local businessman and prominent Democratic Party politician.

In 1887 he married Mary Augusta Hickey, the daughter of a prosperous businessman in the city. His son Joseph married Rose Fitzgerald, the daughter of John F. Fitzgerald, another important local political figure. This created the base for the Kennedy family to build their future political power.

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Patrick Joseph Kennedy is also the name of Edward Kennedy's son, and thus a great-grandson of the elder P. J. Kennedy.