In Memory of John F. Kearns

Obituary

John F. Kearns, 68, of Utica, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Abraham House in Rome.

He was born in Utica on April 29, 1955, a son of the late Charles and Joan Aubert Kearns. He graduated from Norte Dame High School and attended Niagara University. On October 4, 1980, John married Joan Payne in Inlet, NY. John began his career selling cars at the Carbone Pontiac dealership. He later worked for various banks in the lending department for over 30 years. He loved the social aspects of his work the most, as he enjoyed making connections with colleagues and clients.

John was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford. He was also a member of the Elks Club, the Knights of Columbus, and The Skenandoa Golf Club. John had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed the time he spent on Raquette Lake with his family, including spending time hunting and fishing with his father-in-law. He also enjoyed golfing, watching sports, rooting for The New York Yankees and New York Giants, and participating in a fantasy baseball league with friends. He could most often be found teasing his wife and daughters, spoiling his dogs (“The Boys”), and teaching his grandchildren how to make ice cream sundaes and play practical jokes.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joan Kearns, of Utica; daughters, Meghan Collier and her partner, Ryan Van Patten, of Wrentham, MA, and Lindsay McNeace and her husband, Tyyler, of Elizabeth City, NC; son-in-law, Bryan Collier; grandchildren, Isabel (“Little Critter”) Kearns Collier, Isaiah (“Muggsy”) and Everest John (aka, EJ, “Edge”) McNeace; brothers, Kevin Kearns and his wife, Elizabeth, of Utica and James Kearns and his wife, Joanne, of Syracuse; father-in-law, Sidney Payne, of Inlet; sisters-in-law, Sherri Noonan and her husband, Tim, of Old Forge, and Connie Foley of Utica; brother-in-law, Leonard Payne and his wife, Kara, of Inlet; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Dolores Payne.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, Abraham House of Rome, and Hospice & Palliative Care for the care and comfort given to John.

There will be no calling hours. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 27, at 11:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford. The family will greet everyone following the Mass. Arrangements are with the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Abraham House in memory of John. Without such donations, the compassionate care and comforting environment provided to John and others like the Kearns family would not be possible.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.