Known as “Fitzie” in his youth and “Honey Fitz” in later years, John Fitzgerald was the father of Rose who would marry a young Irish American banker, Joseph P. Kennedy.
Joe’s involvement in politics began with his financial support of his father-in-law, Mayor Fitzgerald, during the reversed Congressional election of 1918.
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, the daughter of Boston politician John Fitzgerald and wife of Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr., was the matriarch of a large and ambitious family.
Among the domestic policies Kennedy instituted were the establishment of the Peace Corps, the Apollo space mission to the moon, and the introduction of civil rights legislation.
The younger members of the family were taught to persevere in the public eye, applying the Kennedy work ethic to public service and the competitive Kennedy spirit to their social lives
