“Whenever you’re sitting across from some important person, always picture him sitting there in a suit of long underwear. That’s the way I always operated in business.’’

— Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. (1888-1969), of Massachusetts. He was a businessman, investor and Democratic political figure known for his high-profile positions in the U.S. government during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, for the political and other achievements and tragedies of his children and for his ruthlessness.