Matthew Pierce Kennedy of Harrison, N.Y., died peacefully on May 18, 2023, after a year-long battle with cancer. He spent his final days in the company of his wife of twenty-five years, Nicole Kennedy, and daughters, Anna and Clara. Over his sixty-five years, Mr. Kennedy lived a rich, colorful, and eventful life.
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 15, 1958, he was the son of Nancy (Hunter) and John Kennedy. As a child, he also lived in Myanmar, Laos, Taiwan, and Maryland.
In 1976, he graduated from the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he was awarded the history prize his senior year and played for the lacrosse team. He went on to Columbia University, where he also played lacrosse, and earned a B.A. in 1980 and an M.A. in History two years later. He was grateful for the friendships he made at both schools, the skills and appreciation of learning he gained, and his enduring love of humanities and sports. His love of lacrosse carried over to his daughters’ youth teams, which he coached.
After earning his master’s degree, Mr. Kennedy began a successful career in
international banking, becoming an accomplished capital markets executive, specializing in emerging markets. Starting at Chase Manhattan Bank, his career took him to Drexel Burnham Lambert, both in Los Angeles and New York City.
In 1990, he took advantage of a break in his banking career to take a year-long trip around the world and solve the mystery of his uncle’s disappearance in World War II, when his plane was shot down in the Pacific, over Papua New Guinea.
Following his return, he worked at Morgan Stanley in New York before continuing his career in London with Bankers Trust, Dresdner Bank, and Commerzbank.
In September of 1997, he married the love of his life, Nicole Herbst of Montclair, New Jersey. They lived in London, where they started their family. When they moved back to the U.S. in 2005, they settled in Harrison.
Mr. Kennedy continued working in Manhattan until he retired in 2013. His retirement was spent visiting his daughters at his alma mater, Northfield Mount Hermon, and later on at their colleges, Union and Bates. He was also an active member of All Saints’ Church in Harrison, where he served as treasurer for a decade.
Possessed with a spirit of adventure, he loved to plan the yearly family
vacation. He also enjoyed skiing in Vermont, reading works of history, and taking care of his garden. He was happiest when on his patio sharing a bottle of wine from his cellar, listening to his playlists, and enjoying lively conversation with family and close friends.
His wife and daughters are deeply comforted by the knowledge of how many
lives he touched. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a selfless father, a lifelong learner, and a loyal friend.
Donations in Matt Kennedy’s memory may be made to Northfield Mount Hermon School or Columbia University, Department of History.
