Lowell state Sen. Edward Kennedy has died, remembered as a ‘steadfast advocate’ for his city

State Sen. Edward J. Kennedy, a Lowell Democrat whose career in public service spanned a half-century, has died, aged 74, Senate President Karen Spilka said Thursday.

A cause of death was not immediately available.

Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, shared the news with colleagues in a memo where she called Kennedy a “dear friend and colleague,” who was a “passionate advocate” for residents of his 1st Middlesex District.

“Ed was a champion for education, environmental sustainability, cultural development and, of course, his beloved hometown of Lowell,” Spilka said. “He will be deeply missed by all those fortunate enough to know him.”

Spilka said her office would “share details of the arrangements as soon as they are available. Please keep his wife, Susan, and the rest of Ed’s family in your