Obituary of Joseph-Patrick Kearney

KEARNEY, Joseph Patrick Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Royal Canadian Navy (Retired) Passed away in Victoria, BC on May 8, 2012 at the age of 77 years, with his children at his side. Survived by son Alan Mimms (Debby) of Victoria, daughter Avril Kearney of Toronto, daughter Joanne Kearney (Martin Torns) of Toronto, son Sean Kearney of Ottawa, grandchildren Liam Salichuk, Maeve Salichuk, Karlis Torns, Juno Torns, sister Marie (Kearney) Lund of Toronto, and former partner Judy Halperin of Victoria. Predeceased by his former wife Jeanne (Gregoire) Kearney in 2010. Predeceased by sister Isobel (Kearney) Woerner in 1979 and brother Jack Kearney in 2010. Joseph was born in Toronto in 1935 and joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1952 at the age of 17. In Halifax he served in HMCS Micmac, HMCS Restigouche, and HMCS Yukon. In January 1969, he was posted to CANCOMFLT staff. In this position he was the personal chef to Rear Admiral H Porter, Commodore N Cogden, and Commodore R Hayes, serving in HMCS Bonaventure and HMCS Protecteur. In 1971 he served with 1 Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers at CFB Petawawa. In October 1972 he was posted to HMCS Chaudiere in Esquimalt. In 1974 he served in HMCS Saskatchewan. After retirement in 1977, he studied Occupational Health and Safety at George Brown College in Toronto. He continued to manage food services in positions with the Canadian Coast Guard, King's University College at UWO, the National Ballet School of Canada, and was Food Production Manager at the Orthopedic and Arthritic Hospital in Toronto when he retired again in 1996. Joseph started writing in retirement and published his collection of short stories, "Corned Beef & Cabbagetown: Memories and Stories of a Toronto Cabbagetown Childhood " in 2009 and the fictional "Cedars of the Necropolis " in 2011. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 520 Sherbourne St in Toronto at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 9. The family extends thanks to the medical staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital of Victoria, for their attentive and respectful care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Quinte Thousand Islands Lodge, part of the Kingston General Hospital Foundation. Condolences www.rosar-morrison.com 657125