Assumption Remembers Kenneth Moynihan, Professor Emeritus of History

Kenneth J. Moynihan AP’62, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history at Assumption, passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2014; he was 69. To commemorate his life and contributions to the institution and Worcester community, Assumption will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Professor Moynihan began his academic career in 1970 at Assumption, where he taught history for more than 30 years, serving as chair of the History Department for 20 years. He also served as Assumption historian and wrote a book about the institution, Assumption College: A Centennial History 1904-2004. When he retired in 2009, the institution awarded him its President’s Medal, which is bestowed upon an individual for their efforts to support the educational vision of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon, who founded the Augustinians of the Assumption religious order that guides Assumption.

Moynihan was the first political columnist for Worcester Magazine when it launched in the 1970s, and he covered Worcester politics for that publication for many years. He later wrote a weekly political column for the (Worcester) Telegram & Gazette and was a longtime political analyst for radio station WTAG. In addition, Moynihan founded the Worcester History Group and was a fellow at the Worcester Antiquarian Society. He also wrote a book about the city’s history, A History of Worcester 1674-1848.

A New Hampshire native, Moynihan came to Worcester at age 14 to attend Assumption Prep, from where he graduated in 1962. He ended up staying in Worcester, later attending the College of the Holy Cross and Clark University, where he earned his Ph.D. in history.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, and PO Box 4777, NY, N.Y. 10163-47777.

Moynihan’s obituary can be read here.