Retired Boston Principal and life-long Brighton resident, April 21, 2006 at the age of 88. Beloved husband of the late Eleanor J. (Farry) Kean. Son of the late Peter F. and Delia B. (Manion) Kean. Devoted father of James P. Kean of Brighton and Nancy M. (Kean) Kenney and son-in-law Jonathan P. Kenney of Natick. Also survived by his grandchildren James W.B., Matthew F.G. and Teresa E.A. Kenney and several nieces and nephews. Brother of the late Peter F., Mary E. Lamos, Winifred McDermott, P. Leo, Teresa F. and William A. Kean.
Funeral from the Lehman & Reen Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave. (nr. Brighton Courthouse) BRIGHTON, Tuesday April 25 at 8 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Columbkille Church at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday April 24 4-8 PM. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.
For many years he was a daily communicant at St. Columbkille Church, where he also served as an usher and a member of the Parish's School Council. The seventh child of Peter and Delia (Manion), he attended St. Columbkille School and Boston Latin School, being inducted into the B.L.S. Sports' Hall of Fame because of the successful game that he pitched against Boston English High School. He was a 1940 graduate of Boston College, where he was the Sports Editor of The Heights newspaper. He earned his M.Ed. at Boston Teachers College and his A.M. at Boston College in 1947. Because of his love for Boston College sports, he attended two Cotton Bowl games, one as a student reporter. He also attended the Tangerine, the Liberty and the Hall of Fame Bowls to cheer for B.C. He began teaching in the Boston Public Schools in 1941. When World War II began, he enlisted in the U.S. Army's Ground Force, serving from 1942 to 1946. He returned to teaching at Boston Latin School and then at the Patrick Campbell School. He was appointed Assistant Principal at the Chapman School. When appointed Principal, he was assigned to the Sarah Baker/Julia Ward Howe District and then to the William Lloyd Garrison School. He ended his career as Principal of the Winship School in Brighton.
He was married to Eleanor Farry, also a Boston teacher. They had two children, James P. of Brighton, and Nancy (Kean) Kenney of Natick. He was the grandfather of three, Jim, Matt and Teresa. He and his wife loved to travel, visiting Bermuda, the Caribbean and Europe, especially Ireland. They made a pilgrimage to Lourdes before she died. Following her death, he often accompanied his grandchildren and their parents to Disney World. In 1990, in his 50th anniversary report to his B.C. Class of 1940, he wrote "There is no better medicine for your ills than vacations at Disney World with two lovable imps." Granddaughter Teresa was born the following year and the trips continued. Five years ago, his cat Misty saved his life when the kitchen TV caught fire. She alerted him in the living room as the fire and smoke were spreading. In the last few years, his pace slowed but he lived vicariously through his daughter Nancy, son-in-law Jon, and his grandchildren's activities, his son Jim, with whom he lived, provided companionship and supplied him with all the latest books to read.