Considered by many to be America's version of the "royal family," the Kennedys of Boston, Massachusetts have enjoyed success and seen tragedy during the 20th century. The family patriarch, Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1888-1969) instilled values of dedication to public service, determination to succeed, and loyalty to family.

Kennedy, a second-generation American of Irish descent, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 6, 1888. His father, Patrick Joseph, was a well-to-do saloonkeeper. Patrick also was active in Boston politics, as Irish ward boss, state representative (five times), and state senator (one time).

Kennedy's parents were anxious for their son to succeed. But in the Boston social climate of the time, success was difficult to achieve for people of their background. It was Kennedy's mother, Mary Augusta, who decided that her son should be called Joseph Patrick rather than Patrick Joseph, after his father. She feared that "Patrick Kennedy" sounded "too Irish...