John English; Key Political Force, Adviser
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ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. — John Francis English, an influential force in national and Long Island Democratic politics and a friend and adviser to the Kennedy clan, has died at the age of 61.
English died Saturday evening of cancer at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre.
He was a personal friend and close political adviser of President John F. Kennedy and was instrumental in persuading Robert F. Kennedy to make his successful run for the U.S. Senate from New York in 1964.
Headed Muskie’s Campaign
He also was the national political director of Sen. Edmund Muskie’s 1972 presidential campaign, was an adviser to Edward Kennedy during his 1980 presidential bid and was deputy national chairman of the 1980 Carter-Mondale general election campaign.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) will deliver a eulogy Monday.
English served on the Democratic National Committee from 1968 to 1972, serving as general counsel to the committee in 1972. He was a delegate to several national conventions.
He is survived by his wife, Regina, a sister, two daughters and a son.
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