William M. Kearns
William Michael Kearns 93, of Milton, MA suddenly on Thursday, January 1, 2015.Beloved husband of the late Phoebe (Wilson) Kearns, father of Carol Kearns Andrews of Milton and Michael Kearns of Somerville; Grandfather of Isabel Andrews of Milton; Brother and brother-in-law of Catherine Kearns (and the late Daniel Kearns) of Cohasset, Elaine and Thomas Russo of Wayland, and the late Frances Muller and husband Paul of Belmont, Grace Hanley and husband George of Watertown, and Rosemary Kearns and her former husband Robert Nolan, Sr. of Quincy; Godfather of nieces Judith Curtain of Waltham, Ellen Hanley of Watertown, and Siobhan Nolan of Quincy; He leaves many more surviving extended family and friends. He leaves a close, loving family in Ireland, especially in Athenry, Galway, the Kearns family home. He leaves loving family in England, the Lees, related to his late wife Phoebe, and remains in close contact with them. He was a graduate of Watertown High School and Tufts University, and is in both athletic Halls of Fame, among others. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S Navy in World War II, in the North Atlantic and Pacific. After the war, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a player, and remained in professional baseball for nearly 70 years as a coach and scout. After the Dodgers he worked for the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals and since 1976, with the Seattle Mariners. Bill also taught math and coached basketball in South Boston, Somerset and Weymouth. He loved his family and his many friends near and far, and his wonderful life in the family of Major League Baseball. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Wollaston Golf Club in Milton, and cherished his friendships there. He was a constant reader, loved words and great writing, and always had a couple of dogs at his side, especially Border Collies. He lived a full, passionate, and generous life and will be forever missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Agatha’s Church, Mon. Jan. 5, at 10:30 am. Visiting Hours in the Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Sun. 2-5pm. Interment Milton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at www.pbsfonline.com
Guestbook Entries
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man that touched our lives. We will miss him greatly.
Eileen and Daniel
Dear Ms. Andrews,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad! What an incredible life that he led–how crushed you must be over his loss. We hope that you can find comfort and peace in knowing how much he must have been respected and loved. Please know how much we have you in our thoughts and prayers.
With sincerest sympathy,
Kevin, Sandy, and Dana Galloway (7th Grade)
I met Bill when he was my manager in Kentville, Nova Scotia. I am grateful to him for helping me to get started on my career in professional baseball. I’ve enjoyed seeing him occasionally over the years and he has always been very special to me and my wife.
Our sympathy to the family.
To Michael, Carol and Isabel,
We are all saddened by the loss of your father and grandfather. He was certainly a remarkable figure at Wollaston Golf Club and will be sorely missed. His family was so very important to him, your lovely mother, his two children and especially his lovely granddaughter Isabel. He had a wonderful life and left special memories to many, including ourselves. Please accept our sincere condolences and God bless you all.
Sincere condolences to the entire Kearns family.
Bill was the basketball coach at Somerset High School from 1951 to 1957, coaching the Blue Raiders to the state Class C championship in 1954. He was inducted into the Somerset Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach, and he is fondly remembered by the school’s alumni.
Rest in Peace Bill, a great and classy guy, Jim Rondeau Cape Cod Baseball League
To you and your family Carol, we sincerely offer you our most heartfelt condolences and we are keeping you and your family in our prayers through this difficult time. God bless.
I remember Bill Kearns as a graduate of Somerset High School in 1953. I believe I had one of his classes at the school. My most fondest memory of Bill Kearns ‘tho, was as Driver’s Ed instructor at the school, as was instrumental in grooming me for my road test by the RMV in the Spring of 1953. Bill Kearns was then a well liked teacher-coach in the Somerset High School system and I’m certain of his popularity long after that. I wish to convey my condolences to his family. He rightly deserves the esteem by those whom he guided and coached during his life.
He was a gem of a person.
Ms. Andrews:
Our thoughts are with you during this time of loss. We hope you may be comforted by the memories of the good times with your beloved father. He lead an amazing life. May he rest in peace.