An author and an attorney, Mr. Kerry was also a passionate sailor who made several Atlantic crossings in small sailboats, sailed single- handedly along the New England and Nova Scotia coasts and successfully raced his sloops Herin and Warbonnet.

In 1956, Mr. Kerry joined the Foreign Service and was assigned as executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Walter George, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Besides the senator, Mr. Kerry leaves his wife of 59 years, Rosemany (Forbes); two daughters, Margaret A. of New York City and Diana F., recently returned from Jakarta, Indonesia; a son, Cameron F. Brookline; and four granddaughters.