Remembering Winston Kennedy
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 4:07PM 
Winston KennedyThe Chicago Association of REALTORS is saddened to learn of the passing of Winston Kennedy, C.A.R. Past President and truly a life-long leader in the Chicago real estate community. In addition to his numerous notable contributions to C.A.R., Mr. Kennedy was a member of several community boards, including the YMCA, Kiwanis, and the Chicago Children's Choir.
Mr. Kennedy, who formerly owned Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal & Assoc., loved his Hyde Park neighborhood, and sat down with Chicago REALTOR Magazine last summer to discuss the local market, and the potential impacts of an Obama presidency and the 2016 Olympic Games. "The bottom line is that Hyde Park is a stable market," he said with confidence.
The Chicago Association of REALTORS extends its deep sympathies to the family of Winston Kennedy, and to his colleagues and many friends. He will be greatly missed.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and memories of Winston with us and your fellow REALTORS® by posting a comment below. Thank you.
Reader Comments (18)
The "kindest" of the "kind"; an example for us all. Truly Winston was a pillar in our profession. As a long-time owner of a Century 21 office, he blazed a trail for those of us who followed him.
I worked closely with him during the tough and often frustrating negotiations of the former Chicago Board of Realtors with the then non-Realtor Northside Real Estate Board - at all times he was focused, considerate, and understood the value of the merger for Chicago Realtors. The merger was a success, in large part, because of his efforts.
In business and in his daily life activities, he was always the epitome of a "gentleman". He and his cherished wife, Margaret, were admiring partners, not only at their Century 21 office, but also within every aspect of their life together. I know she will miss him dearly - condolences go to Margaret and Winston's family, as well as his Century 21 office team.
I'm grateful to Winston for the business and life lessons learned by his example. As a dear friend, he too enjoyed the privilege of having a "good heart", one that gave freely and generously. A teacher, a mentor, an astute professional, and ultimately, a gift from God to all of us. We will miss you Winston - thank you for being an important part of our lives.
As a new GAD hired in Chicago back in 2002, you're on a fast-paced learning curve - especially following in the shoes of Mike Mini, a talented and experienced lobbyist in his own right. I asked, who do I need to get to know in Hyde Park? The answer was simple - Winston Kennedy.
Winston was quick to provide counsel, caution and direction in an even-toned fashion that I immediately trusted. He was a person I sought counsel from because I knew I would get the truth.
Winston's legacy goes deep in this great association and he will be missed for not the offices he held but moreover in how he held those offices. A quiet leader whose advice was ageless, and was always relevant.
Political, financial, business and policy advice he gave will still be part of today's landscape. I am thankful for the time he took to mentor me and I am proud to have served him. Winston was a delightful person to know. Erudite, gentle and resourceful. Thank you Winston for sharing your knowledge with us and I am most saddened by the deep loss those closest to him are feeling.
I had the privilege of meeting Winston only once, in summer 2008, while writing a story on real estate in Hyde Park. What was scheduled to be a 15-minute interview became a wonderful dialogue of more than an hour and a half, during which time he shared with me his favorite things about the neighborhood, places I should photograph for the story, and gave me a condensed but fascinating history of real estate in Chicago. I have never learned so much in such a relatively short period of time. What a gracious, intelligent, and kind man. I feel very fortunate to have spent only part of one afternoon with him. My sincerest sympathies to his wife, family, and friends.
What I remember about Winston is he was class act. The finest example of a REALTOR, Broker, Neighbor and Man. A gentle man that was willing to share his experiences and knowledge with others. Never one to complain, he would adjust to whatever the challenge was.
Always accommodating to all and with such an easy manner, it made me wonder how do I get that ease, in my step and temperament and in life. A true pleasure in knowing him that you hoped your clients did like his listing just to have the pleasure of working with him and getting to know him better, and his secrets of a calm soul.
My thoughts are with his family and his community. He will be missed, for a true gem such as he can never be replaced.
Winston always made time for me when I needed his help or his advice. He was a good listener and truly cared about people and about the real estate industry. He also had a great sense of humor. I valued his friendship and his wisdom. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him! Bob and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and members of CAR upon his passing. God bless, Winston.
I only did one deal with Winston but ran into him several times showing properties in Hyde Park. He was a true professional and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him. I can honestly say that he was one of the most considerate, intelligent and honest agents I have encountered. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
AS PAST PRESIDENT OF THE FORMER NORTHWEST REAL ESTATE BOARD IN CHICAGO I REMEMBER WINSTON VERY WELL.WE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ON WHY OUR BOARD WOULD NOT MERGE WITH THE FORMER NORTH SIDE REAL ESTATE BOARD AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAD MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS ON WHAT OR WHERE BOTH OF OUR BOARDS WERE GOING THE ETHICS AND MORALS OF HIS WAY WERE ALWAYS ADMIRED BYME.
HE WAS A GREAT BROKER AND LEADER AND I WILL MISS HIM.
OUR BUSINESS HAS LOST ONE OF THE FINEST GENTLEMEN THAT EVER PRACTICED REAL ESTATE.
Over the past few years I have only had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Kennedy on rare Association social occasion like the Past Presidents Luncheon and our Annual Inaugural Gala. And even those times were filled with brief hellos and quick conversations. But I will always remember his warm smile and enthusiasm for our organization. We can all count ourselves lucky to have known him and all the more fortunate because his contributions and achievements helped bring us today to a profession and an Association of which we can all be proud. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends…he will be missed.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kennedy family. Your loss is shared by many of us who had the privilege of knowing Winston and working with him. The consummate professional, always willing to share his knowledge and years of experience. He will be missed.
We all meet a lot of other agents in this business - but Winston Kennedy is one I will always remember. As a new agent, from the north side no less, working on only my third deal ever, and down in Hyde Park - a community I was just starting to learn - Winston was welcoming & kind and an absolute joy to work with. He practiced the kind of real estate that I practice today - never antagonist, always solution focused, and always respectful of the other agent. I was saddened to learn of his passing, but his legacy lives in every agent at Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal - they all share his same approach and are always professional and pleasure to work with. My condolences to Jean and his family. I will, and always have, though of him fondly.
I was honored to serve with Win over many years both as officers and as past presidents. His word was his bond and his honor was not to be taken lightly. Win was a man who cared for others and worked accordingly. He will be well remembered and missed by those of us who new him.
Win served on my management team, when I was Board President, as we went thru the important merger with the North Side Board in 1990-91. Win was serving as Board Vice-President at the time and was considered one of the "Southside" spokesmans. Win was very calm and level headed during these negotiations and he did not say too much be when he did speak on a point "everybody listened". He was one of the main reasons that we got the thru the merger and played a great role in my administration. I was lucky to have him on my team and I relied on his judgement a great deal.
Because of Win's leadership, he was selected as one the five people that the merger group designated as being in the "chairs" to be Board President for the new enlarged Chicago Association of Realtors. By agreement the five designees were as follows: 1991 Arnie Fox (Northside residential realtor); 1992 Don Truitt (Commercial Realtor); 1993 Winston Kennedy (Southside Residential Realtor); 1994 Sid Woods (Northside residential Realtor) and 1995 John Kmiecik (Southside residential Realtor).
Winston was a get involved realtor and was a hands-on owner of his real estate office in Hyde Park. If Winston gave you his word, you could bet the ranch on that commitment.
I really did not know anybody who did not like Winston Kennedy. I will miss him very much.
Marion Valle
CAR President 1990-1991
Winston (Win) Kennedy walked & spoke softly and carried a big stick. A fighter for Justice and Equality. There were mant things that Win did for others. Most will not be written. However, I, Frank J. Williams benefitted from many things that Win did.
I will miss him, but he will forever be in my heart. See you later my friend!
As a new agent to the Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal & Associates office, I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Kennedy as long as my colleagues. He insisted that I call him Winston and graciously offered to share his sage advice and decades of real estate expertise. I marveled how a man almost twice my age worked harder and had a better memory than me. He was a fair, kind, honest man who was passionate about his work and his commitment to our community. Though soft-spoken, his achievements and accolades resonate with distinction.
David A. Clanton
Realtor, Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal & Associates
Win was a gentle man. Smart, funny,humble, clever, considerate. I am so fortunate to have known him. You will be dearly missed.
Patricia Woodfolk
Agent - Century21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal, & Assoc.,Inc
In 1981 I walked into the firm of Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal to interview with Winston Kennedy for a sales position. That day, in Win's quiet, unassuming way, he said to me, "I think you've got what it takes to be a success".
Many years later, in 1998, I bought the firm from Win.
I will always be grateful for his mentoring, his special friendship and his trust in me to carry on his legacy. I will miss him greatly.
I was an employee of Win's from 1979 until he sold Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal in 1998 to Jeanne Spurlock; first as a sales agent, then in many office positions-advertising manager, co-sales manager, bookkeeper. Always, Win was fair, encouraging, and thoughtfully listened to my ideas and concerns. Since 1998 I have very happily been his colleague. In all these years I don't think I ever hear him raise his voice in anger or disparage anyone.
But, in truth, when I remember Win I think of his office. As a struggling "neatnik" wannabee I was in awe of his ability to juggle many listings, offers being negotiated, contracts with all sorts of issues and lots and lots of clients and still his desk was always clean. All his files were neatly stacked. If you needed an extra key for one of his listings you could always find it in the upper right drawer, in a carefully marked envelope. If you wanted to know his schedule his date book was on his credenza, opened to the right week with each appointment carefully penciled in. When I was feeling frazzled or a bit down, just standing by his door (which was almost never closed) would calm me.
Thank you, Win.
Mimi Asbury
My dear, dear Winston was like the father I longed to have. He was charismatic, delightful, and truly genuine. He was dedicated to his craft to the very end. I will treasure the memory of Winston forever.
Receptionist-Century 21 Kennedy, Ryan, Monigal & Assoc., Inc.