Walter Lawrence "Peanut" Kennedy was born in Chelsea, Vermont, on May 10, 1920.

He graduated from Chelsea High School and worked at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut.

He served with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal, and afterwards returning to Chelsea.

[1][2] Kennedy managed the Chelsea Co-Op Grocery and worked for American Home Foods until 1952, when he went into business as a car dealer.

[4] In 1974, Kennedy was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor, losing to incumbent Thomas P.