Charles Kennedy, 87, of Gulf Breeze, FL., passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Charles was born on July 26, 1938 in the family home in Victoria Street, Larkhall. A small town in the west of Scotland. He was the 6th child of his parents, Thomas and Catherine’s 8 children. His father was a coal miner and were poor but he had a good loving childhood.

Charles grew up in Larkhall with his brothers and sisters - Margaret, Tommy, John, Cathie, Mary, James and Ann. His grandparents, uncles, aunts and many cousins all lived close by too.

When he was 5years old he joined his older siblings at St Mary’s Primary School.

He had a cousin in his class, who was also called Charles Kennedy! So to tell them apart the teacher called them Charles 1 and Charles 2. Charles was very pleased that he was number 1!

Charles received all the Sacraments in St Mary’s Church, which is next to the school, and served with his brothers as an altar server. This was the beginning of Charles carrying out many roles in the parish which he continued until he left Larkhall to come to Gulf Breeze.

Charles left school at 14 years old, which was normal at that time.

He found work as an apprentice roof slater with a local building company and worked there for several years. He later found work in a factory manufacturing vacuum cleaners, which delighted his mother and sisters because he could get them hoovers at a bargain price.

Along with his brothers, Charles had a lifelong love of football. He played on the streets outside his home and for the school team an although he was never a skillful player, he was enthusiastic! He supported Glasgow Celtic and attended all their games on the Larkhall Celtic Supporters bus. When his nephews got older, he would take them to the games and they all have stories to tell about these outings!

A great moment for all Celtic supporters was in 1967 when Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup. And Charles with his father, brothers and brothers-in-law all celebrated the win. His mother would always say that they went out to watch the game and didn’t come home for 3 days!

Charles loved travelling and visited many different countries with his brother James or on his own. He would always bring his mother back a souvenir, which she would put in a display cabinet in the home. Charles brought that cabinet and many of those souvenirs with him to Gulf Breeze as it was so full of memories. When his nieces Mary and Anne were children he would show them the ornaments and tell them all about where he had got them and the wonderful adventures he had had.

New Year was a special celebration for Charles. All the family - brothers and their wives, sisters and their husbands and all the nieces and nephews would meet at the grandparents house to welcome in the new year. There would be a singing and favorite songs such as “A Good New Year” and “The Pub With No Beer!” would be sung.

The Tradition meal in Scotland on New Year’s Day is steak pie and there would always be enough for everyone. When Charles moved to Gulf Breeze he would always phone his sister Mary on New Year’s Day and ask if the streak pie was in the oven cooking and if she could send him a piece.

In Scotland we have a word that describes our uncle Charles. That word is crabbit! Crabbit means very, very grumpy. And his two surviving sisters Mary and Ann would tell you he had been crabbit since the day he was born. Although he was crabbit he was also very kind and generous. If any of our family was in need of anything or in any kind of trouble, Charles would quietly help out without anyone knowing.

He was fond and proud of all 19 nieces and nephews and they were all incredible fond of him. He always encouraged them to do their best in school as he believed that getting a good education was very important and was so proud that some of them went to university, something he never got the chance to do.

After returning from a visit to his cousin’s home in Coventry, he surprised all his family when he announced he had an American girlfriend! We didn’t really believe him. But then we met Betty and realized it was true!

So, Charles and Betty were married in St Mary’s Church in Larkhall and he moved to Gulf Breeze to begin his life with Betty.

He kept in touch by phoning home regularly and liked to be kept informed of all that was happening in Larkhall. He didn’t like to miss out on any news.

His sister Ann and some of his nieces and nephews were lucky enough to visit with Charles and Betty here in Gulf Breeze and were made very welcome and were thoroughly spoiled.

Although his family missed him when he moved away they all knew that being with Betty was the best thing for him and were happy for him to leave.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 24, 2026 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32562.