Press & Sun-Bulletin
Binghamton, NY
21 Mar 2014


Kiernan, Rev. Thomas F.

Homer: Rev. Thomas F. Kiernan, 90, of Homer, NY, passed away Wednesday,
March 19, 2014, at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Born May 23, 1923
in Cortland, Fr. Kiernan was a son of Joseph H. and Josephine Reardon
Kiernan. Fr. Kiernan was a graduate of St. Mary's Parochial School in
Cortland and started his education at St. Mary's the day the school first
opened its doors in 1928. He went on to attend Niagara University and
graduate from St. Andrew's Minor Seminary and St. Bernard's Seminary in
Rochester, NY. Fr. Kiernan was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood
on May 6, 1948 at The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Syracuse
by Bishop Walter Foery. Father faithfully served the Catholic Church as
a Parish Priest at St. John the Evangelist in Pulaski, St. Ambrose in
Endicott, St. John the Baptist in Syracuse, St. Patrick's in Binghamton,
St. Joseph in Sanitaria Springs, Our Lady of Lourdes in Windsor,
St. Paul's in Norwich and St. John the Evangelist in Binghamton. After
his retirement Fr. Kiernan returned to Cortland to be with his family
and continued to assist at his home Parish of St. Mary's Church as well
as St. Anthony of Padua, both in Cortland, NY. He is survived by his
brother, Patrick Kiernan of Homer; sister-in-law, Jean Kiernan of Auburn;
nieces and nephews, Pia Tucker, Mary Anne Kiernan, Margaret Daly, Rita
Kiernan, Maureen Kiernan, Robert Kiernan and Thomas Kiernan; and several
great nieces and great nephews; and cousins, John State and family and
Mary Ann Kane. In addition to his parents, Fr. Kiernan was preceded in
death by his siblings and their spouses, Willliam (Theresa) Kiernan,
Katherine Kiernan, Josephine Kiernan, Joseph (Margaret) Kiernan and
Robert Kiernan; and his cousin, Katherine Mary State. A Funeral Mass for
a deceased Priest will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church, Cortland, NY by Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham,
Bishop of Syracuse, serving as celebrant. Prayers of committal will
follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Cortland. The Kiernan family
will be present to receive those who wish to pay their respects on
Sunday from 5-7 p.m. in St. Mary' Church 46 N. Main St., Cortland,
NY. A prayer vigil for a deceased Priest will be held on Sunday at 7
p.m. in the church at the conclusion of calling hours. Arrangements are
under the direction of Riccardi Funeral Home, 69 N. Main St., Cortland,
NY. www.riccardifuneralhome.com.