Charles M. Kane of Quincy, formerly of Boston and Worcester, a United State Marine Corps veteran and retired owner of Kane's Place in Quincy, died Thursday at Marian Manor in South Boston under the caring and watchful eye of the Carmelite sisters.
Charlie was born in Worcester and grew up with humble beginnings. His dad, Albert, was a Fire Captain in Worcester and his mother Lila, a devoted mother. As a kid and like all his brothers, Charlie worked at a variety of jobs to help the family finances including delivering milk, pumping gas, and as a soda jerk at an early Friendlies. Once he was old enough, 18, Charlie left home and joined the Marines serving eight years including tours in Korea. When he returned to Boston as a Marine he met the love of his life, Catherine 'Kay" Doherty, at the Fargo Building in Boston in 1955. It was love at first sight and the two were married in a beautiful military ceremony in 1957.
Moving to Dorchester with his new wife, Charlie started a family and, as always, worked multiple jobs to make ends meet – even trying his hand at politics with a failed run for MA state house. Charlie and Kay were also extremely active in the community and in particular with St. Peter's Parish CYO on Meeting House Hill and in the Catholic Church.
Moving to Quincy in the late 60's, Charlie had a successful career at Paperama and then found his niche and lifelong passion in the bar business when he purchased Jimmy's near the Quincy Shipyard and started Kane's Place. Over the years, Kane's Place was the home to many great memories that included sports teams, politics and family parties.
Known for his generosity and a passion for campaigning Charlie was the campaign manager for many candidates in Quincy including Michael Morrissey's first run for office at just 21. Using Charlie's strategy and leadership, Morrissey went on to be elected to the Massachusetts House of Representative.
Later Charles moved to Cohasset and with his sons opened Stars on Hingham Harbor. Sadly Charlie's time in Cohasset was cut short by Kay's early death, at 52, to advanced ovarian cancer.
Some years after Kay's death, Charlie met Judy Robinson and the two started dating. They were happy, loving companions and spent the last 20 years traveling together, eating out at fine restaurants and mostly spoiling their grandchildren.
Charlie's health took a turn for the worse over the summer and his bouts with Parkinson's became more regular and more advanced. Still, in November Charlie recovered long enough to make the trip to St John for the wedding of his oldest granddaughter, Ali, and had the time of his life dancing and being the proud grandfather of the bride.
Charlie was the happy and loving father of Joseph Kane (Boston), Edward Kane (Boston), Amy (Kane) Cronin (Quincy) and Charlie Kane, MSP (Marshfield); the fantastically loving and generous grandfather to Alixandria Kane (Ft. Lauderdale), Jennifer Kane (Quincy), Ryan Kane (Marshfield), TJ Kane (Marshfield), and Dan Kane (Marshfield). He is survived by his brothers Al, (Spencer), Bobby, (Auburn), Thomas, (Arizona), and Dick (Worcester). His is preceded in death by his sister Barbara.
Charlie also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former employees and many, many health care workers, whose lives he touched with his unique generosity, caring spirit and gift of friendship.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday from 3-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM Tuesday prior to the Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery, Cohasset.
Memorial donations in Charlie’s memory may be made to Marian Manor, 130 Dorchester Street, Boston, MA 02127, where Charlie spent his last months in the care of professionals whose employees had the same compassion, humor and love that were the hallmark of Charlie's life.