Judge James A. Kennedy III, 68, of Spring Lake Heights, formerly Holmdel Township, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2011. Born to Mary Angela and James A. Kennedy, in Montclair, N.J., James spent his childhood in West Orange, graduating from Our Lady of the Valley High School in 1961. Judge Kennedy attended Seton Hall University, earning a BA in history, before attending Fordham University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor. After admission to the bar in 1968, he held a clerkship with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, sitting in Newark and Philadelphia, after which he entered private practice with the firm of Potter and Gagliano, later Gagliano, Tucci, and Kennedy in Long Branch, New Jersey. He served as Holmdel Township Municipal Prosecutor, and represented a number of private and public clients. In 1981, he was appointed to the bench as the Monmouth County District Court Judge by Governor Brendan Byrne. In 1991 with the consolidation of the District Court, he became a Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, sitting in Monmouth County and serving as presiding Civil and Criminal Judge during his career. After retirement in 2003, Judge Kennedy worked part time with his son, enjoyed playing golf, walking the Spring Lake boardwalk, solving crossword puzzles and spending time with his nine grandchildren. Judge Kennedy also enjoyed sunsets over Captiva Island and cheering for both the Giants and the Jets. James was predeceased by his parents, Mary Angela and James; he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Christine and Brian Hill of Middletown, his son and daughter-in-law James and Karen Kennedy of Rumson, his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Barbara of Westerville, OH, and his former wife, Valerie (Cuchural) Kennedy of Holmdel. He also leaves nine wonderful grandchildren, Brian, Troy, Kate, Kyle, Claire, Rhiannon, Lucy, Liam, and James. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 18 at Holmdel Funeral Home 26 – South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ.. A Funeral Mass will take place at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, January 19 at St. Catharine's Church, 108 – Middletown Road, Holmdel, with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Life Guard Ecumenical Foundation, PO Box 6385, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.