August 9, 1947 - Sept. 27, 2016
John was born in Dublin, Ireland to Matthew and Maura Kearney, and was the oldest of 3 children. After finishing his education, he worked in Manchester, England for the post office (telephone services), and also worked for years as a tech on traffic signals. He returned to Ireland and worked as a back hoe operator, as well as in construction. He came to Canada in 1984 as a Frontier Apostle volunteer with the Catholic Church, and stayed with them for 8 years - 6 in Prince George as the permanent live-in group home parent at St. Catherine’s home for disabled youth, and 2 in Dawson Creek working at Notre Dame School. A 45-year-old confirmed bachelor, John met and married the love of his life, Jean, in 1991, and moved to Penticton. John built their home on Apex Road, and his proudest life’s accomplishment was the birth of his 2 children, Katie and Kevin. John was a stay-at-home dad who was also the foster parent for Tyler and Chris for 12 years. He was the dad who made wheelchair accessible cardboard playhouses, who took 4 kids to swim lessons, who always had a hearty meal ready, who could fix anything, who could create a lemonade stand or a skateboard ramp, and who always made home and country life an adventure. He volunteered with Prince George Hiway rescue, St John Ambulance, the Soup Kitchen, and Birthright of Penticton. He loved animals, guns, and enjoyed Celtic music and an evening glass of whiskey. John had a wicked wit and sense of humor, and once you got past his rough exterior, he was smart and funny and endlessly caring. He will be missed everyday in a thousand ways. He was the root and the core of our home, our leprechaun who made magic happen in the Kearney household. A private family service will be held.