April 25, 2013
JFK+50 CELEBRATES DAVE POWERS 101st BIRTHDAY
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy, David Francis Powers*, who was born on April 25, 1912, would have been 101 years old today.
*David Francis Powers (1912-1998), the son of John and Catherine Powers, grew up in the Charlestown section of Boston, Massachusetts. He sold newspapers as a youth and assisted in 5 masses at his church on Sundays.
Having served in the USAF in WWII, Dave was sought out by a young JFK who was running for the 11th district congressional seat in 1946 because Dave knew everyone in the district.
When JFK went to the White House in 1961, Dave became a Special Assistant to the President, serving as unofficial greeter as well as JFK's companion.
*David Francis Powers (1912-1998), the son of John and Catherine Powers, grew up in the Charlestown section of Boston, Massachusetts. He sold newspapers as a youth and assisted in 5 masses at his church on Sundays.
Having served in the USAF in WWII, Dave was sought out by a young JFK who was running for the 11th district congressional seat in 1946 because Dave knew everyone in the district.
When JFK went to the White House in 1961, Dave became a Special Assistant to the President, serving as unofficial greeter as well as JFK's companion.
David F. Powers
November 19, 1962
Photo by Robert Knudsen
On April 25, 1962, President Kennedy gave Dave Powers a silver beer mug for a birthday present.
The mug bears the following inscription:
"There are three things which are real; God, Human Folly & Laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension, So we must do what we can with the third."
Powers, who always was by the President's side during the ceremonial 1st pitch of the baseball season, was riding in the secret service car directly behind the President's car in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
After JFK's death, Dave Powers was the museum curator of the John F. Kennedy Library from 1964 to 1994.
He co-authored "'Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye': Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy" with Kenneth P. O'Donnell. The book was published in 1970.
Dave Powers died at the age of 85 on March 27, 1998.
"Dave Powers was a loyal, devoted friend whom my mother and father adored. I will always be grateful for his personal kindness and for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Kennedy Library."
Caroline Kennedy
On February 17, 2013, John McGinnis Auctioneers of Amesbury, Massachusetts auctioned over 2000 photographs, documents, gifts and other items from Dave Powers personal JFK memorabilia collection.
REMEMBERING JFK+50's VISIT WITH DAVE POWERS AT THE JFK LIBRARY
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On July 21, 1986, we had the opportunity to visit with Dave Powers in his office at the JFK Library.
Dave graciously gave us an hour of his time and it was like talking to someone we had known all our lives. It was easy to see why Dave became JFK's best friend.
Mr. Powers signed my copy of his book and gave us some booklets and photos which he also autographed.
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On July 21, 1986, we had the opportunity to visit with Dave Powers in his office at the JFK Library.
Dave graciously gave us an hour of his time and it was like talking to someone we had known all our lives. It was easy to see why Dave became JFK's best friend.
Mr. Powers signed my copy of his book and gave us some booklets and photos which he also autographed.
