JOE KENNELLY

They call him Mr. Burnsville. He was born in the house built by his father on land homesteaded by his grandfather, who came here from Ireland in 1860. And he still lives there on Highway 12--a good spot to stop and visit, view his menagerie of farm animals, and catch up on what's going on in town. Bo doubt about it, everybody knows Joe Kennelly. His contributions to Burnsville have spanned the city's metamorphosis from sleepy farm community to expanding suburbia.

The Kennelly farm, which at one time covered 285 acres of rich rolling hills, has diminished; and so has Joe's farming. But, where once a sizeable crop of potatoes grew and a dairy herd was maintained, now small grains and pumpkins dot the landscape.

The cattle have given way to a small zoo of such exotic animals as European spotted fallow deer and colorful peacocks. And ducks of every variety and Canadian geese nest along Kennelly's pond.

Mary, Mother of the Church has been erected on property homesteaded by the Kennelly clan. So were portions of several large nearby housing developments.

And, although Kennelly is a bachelor, there's hardly a place in Burnsville where children feel more welcome than the Kennelly farm. He was born May 3, 1908, son of Walter and Rose Kennelly, the fifth of six children. He has taken a leadership role in a variety of community projects. Once he coached the county champion baseball team, and his interest in sports and athletes is clearly evident even now, as he counts some of the area's top football, baseball and hockey stars among his close friends.

His 10 year chairmanship of Burnsville's famed "Night of the Irish" drew top dignitaries of the state; and Kennelly remembers with pride the time one of America's most famous Irishmen, Dennis Day, was the star attraction.

Kennelly and his friend, Tom McGuire, spearheaded the drive in 1972 to form the Burnsville-Eagan Knights of Columbus. The group now numbers in excess of 150 members.

A staunch democrat, he's never run for political office, but DFLers (and even some from the side of the aisle) seek his endorsement when they announce candidacy. Kennelly's understanding of his peers, his political wisdom and his popularity make him a good friend and supporter even Governors are proud to acknowledge.

Connie Morrison
Joe Kennelly et al