Obituary: Desmond Patrick Kearney, 95, of North Branford

Information via Guilford Funeral Home

Desmond Patrick Kearney, 95, of North Branford, formerly of Madison and New Haven, died peacefully on July 21, 2017 after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Rita Holohan Kearney. Desmond was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland on April 8, 1922 to Charles Joseph and Lillie McNulty Kearney. He emigrated to the Fair Haven section of New Haven, CT when he was three years old. As a youngster, he attended St. Francis School, and he graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1940.

Desmond then entered the seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. After five years of preparation, a family emergency caused Desmond to take leave from St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester, NY and return home. He subsequently made the decision to leave the seminary and remain in New Haven.

Eventually, Desmond established himself as an innovative and successful Independent Insurance Agent and created Compass Insurance Center in New Haven and Valley Insurance Center in Ansonia. Desmond cherished his marriage to Rita, who he married on May 3, 1952.

Together they had seven children and moved from New Haven to Madison, CT in 1968 where they spent many happy years focused on raising their family. Desmond was known for bringing people together – whether it be by gathering with friends at his home every New Year’s Eve, or hosting a Christmas party for his extended family for almost 50 years.

Throughout his life, Desmond maintained his strong Catholic faith and was very involved in numerous church activities. He was also active in many Madison organizations, including the Boy Scouts, the Madison Country Club, and Madison ABC. He was a lifelong learner, an avid reader and an active participant in a variety of discussion groups and classes. In retirement, Desmond loved to golf and acquired a strong interest in bridge, achieving the rank of Life Master.

His generosity, sense of humor, humility, and deep faith will truly be missed by all who knew him. Desmond is survived by his seven children: Kevin Kearney and his wife Sara of Storrs, Timothy Kearney of Madison, Brian Kearney and his wife Carole of Harrisburg, NC, Brendan Kearney and his wife Sue of Boston, MA, Marybeth Kearney of Landenberg, PA, Joanne Sacchi and her husband Ron of Killingworth, and Bernadette Denson and her husband Tim of Upton, MA.

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Christopher Kearney of Madison, Brian Kearney Jr. and his wife Ariel of Charlotte, NC, Brittany Kearney of Charlotte, NC, Matthew and Audrey Kearney of Boston, MA, Christopher and Julia Sacchi of Killingworth, and Kristen, Kaitlyn, Jack and Sam Denson of Upton, MA as well as three great-grandchildren: Maisyn, Maddox, and Carter of Charlotte, NC. Desmond was especially close in recent years to his brother-in-law William Holohan of East Haven and his niece Karen Kearney of East Haven. Desmond was predeceased by his wife Rita; by his infant sisters Kathleen and Lillie; by his brothers James, Charles, and Gerard; and by his granddaughters Alyssa Ann Kearney and Jessica Veronica Kearney.

Desmond’s children extend a special thank you to Manny Ayidana, Desmond’s personal care attendant, for the friendship and compassionate assistance he provided over the past three years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St., Madison, CT. Burial will follow at Alderbrook Cemetery, Boston St., Guilford. Friends and family may call on Tuesday, July 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis and St. Rose of Lima School, 423 Ferry Street, New Haven, CT 06513.

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