Mr. Kennedy, 60, passed away unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack at his home in Michigan last evening. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Raymond F. Kennedy (left), 60, president and chief operating officer of Masco Corp. died suddenly at his home on Feb. 4 of an apparent heart attack. He had held his current position at Masco since 1996. In 1995 he was named executive vice president and prior to that he had been president of Building Products Companies since 1989. He served on the board of directors of Masco Corp., Emco Corp., the Flint Ink Corp., and the Home Building Industry Foundation Advisory Board.

His career began in 1963 with a financial position at NBC News. He joined AMF, Inc. in 1966. He was successively president of the Skamper Corp., Head Ski and Tennis Co., and the AMF Wheel Goods Division. He joined Masco in 1978 as president of the Plumbing Products Division, a position he held until 1989 when he moved to corporate headquarters.

His charitable work included serving on the cabinet for the Father Solanus Casey Center located at the Capuchin Monastery, supporting both the Legionnaires of Christ and students at Cornerstone Schools. He was honored by the City of Hope, a Los Angeles cancer treatment center, with the Spirit of Life award in 1998 and was named Man of the Year by his alma mater, St. John's University, last November.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Kennedy, three married sons, Raymond, Michael and Kevin, and 11 grandchildren.

"Ray was a leader who was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him," said Masco Chairman and Chief Executive Richard A. Manoogian, in a statement. "He will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and business associates." Manoogian, who previously served as president and chief operating officer, has assumed Kennedy's responsibilities on an interim basis. "Ray has developed and trained an outstanding management team over the years and we expect a smooth transition of responsibilities," he said.

Those who wish to make a donation in his memory may contribute to: City of Hope, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 (800-553-6420); The Capuchin Ministries, 1740 Mount Elliot, Detroit, MI 48207 (313-579-2100); or Cornerstone Schools, Attn: Clark Durant, 6861 East Nevada, Detroit, MI 48234 (313-368-8580).