"Ray was a leader who was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him," said Masco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Manoogian. "He will be greatly missed." Manoogian will assume Kennedy's responsibilities on an interim basis.

Since 1996, Kennedy had been president and COO of Masco. Prior he was executive vice president in 1995, and had served as president of Building Products Companies since 1989. He served on the Board of Directors of Masco, Emco Corp., the Flint Ink Corp. and the Home Building Industry Foundation Advisory Board. Kennedy was equally active in many charities, including The City of Hope, a Los Angeles California center for cancer treatment, and was honored by that organization with its 1998 Spirit of Life award.

Kennedy is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary, their three married sons, and 11 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorial donations should be made to City of Hope, The Capuchin Ministries or Cornerstone Schools.