Thomas Hardy Kennedy, age 86, passed away Aug. 16, 2015 at Walter Reed Convalescent Center, Gloucester.

Tom was a Mathews character. He was extremely well read and an excellent cook. Rough around the edges, he was so very likeable.

Tom was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but spent much of his youth in California. He served in the Army, graduated from San Jose State, and worked for the IRS.

In the 1960s, Tom sailed to Mathews and worked for many years with Tom and Jean Colvin at their boatyard, now Zimmerman’s in Mobjack. He then worked over 30 years at Tatterson Greenhouses with his good friend, Bill.

Tom loved the Mathews Library, listening to classical music, and enjoying conversation with friends over a good German beer. Before macular degeneration took his vision, Tom enjoyed driving across the country to California to be part of the grape harvest and family get-togethers.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Annabelle; brothers, Michael and Bill, and longtime friend, Tayler Vrooman.

He is survived by nieces, Maggie and Jennifer, and nephew, Jim, all from California.

A celebration and toast to Tom’s life will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at Belmont Pumpkin Farm, North. There will be BBQ, cole slaw, and Tom’s favorite beverage.

He is greatly missed by his Mathews County friends.