Longtime Malibu resident Ben Kennedy, known to many for his charitable work and other good deeds, died on March 20 of natural causes. He was 96.
Kennedy was there to lend a helping hand when it came to various community services like the Malibu Labor Exchange, but he is perhaps best remembered for helping to feed the homeless.
“I met Ben, years and years ago,” said City Councilmember Sharon Barovsky. “He would go to the market every day and get all the produce and day-old bread and bring it to the shelters.”
Six days a week Kennedy would turn up at the loading dock at old Hughes Market (now Ralphs) and sort through the still-edible produce, bread and food that had reached its expiration date. He would load the groceries in his pick-up truck and distribute the food to churches, shelters and relief organizations throughout the Westside. Kennedy continued his food distribution program until he was in his early 90s.
In 1996, Kennedy received a Dolphin Award from The Malibu Times for his efforts on behalf of the less fortunate.
“Ben was just there for everybody no matter what it was,” Barovsky said. “Ben was one of those rare people who always gave back more than he asked for.”
Longtime friend Irina Svistelina said Kennedy was “indescribable, unpredictable and irresistible.
“He was a person you are lucky to meet once in your lifetime because he was so unique you cannot find another one even close to him” she said. His heart was full of unconditional love to anyone and he was open to giving help anytime, day or night, when people needed it.”
Kennedy was born in Lincoln, Neb. on April 24, 1911. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces until the end of World War II. After the war, he made his way west.
Kennedy worked as a meat cutter in Santa Monica and later purchased a lot in Corral Canyon in Malibu. He built a home in the area in 1938, and he rebuilt it after a fire in the 1950s. He lived there with his wife, Myrtle, until her death in 1991. It was about that time that he developed a friendship with neighbor Matt Haines.
“His door was always open,” Haines said. “He could tell you story after story about Malibu and the old-timers. But more than that, he had a huge heart.”
Like many Malibu residents, Kennedy experienced and survived other fires. But he lost his home once again in November’s Corral Fire. Neighbor Vic Calandra helped Kennedy get out safely and rescued his pet donkey as well.
After the fire, Kennedy moved to the Veteran’s Administration Hospice, where he later died.
He is survived by his nephews, Marvin Soehren, Lee Soehren, Donald Soehren, Eldon Soehren and David Bize and nieces Geraldine Weiler, Lauretta Bolte, Hazel Clark, Delores Plunkett and Darlene Ruhling.
Kennedy’s funeral will take place this week on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Gates Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Home, located at 1925 Arizona Ave. in Santa Monica. It will be followed by a reception at BeauRivage Restaurant, located at 26025 Pacific Coast Highway.
Those planning to attend the reception should call 310.456.5733. There will be a viewing this week on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking friends to make a donation to the charity of their choice.