L. Col. Owen \'Kevin\' Kierans
Born In: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: September 14th, 2009
L. Col. Owen Kevin Hugh Kierans M.C., 87, of Sydney, passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.
Born in Montreal, he was the son of the late Tom and Margaret Kierans.
He is survived by his sons, Gerry (Gordana), Germany, Ken (Jana), Halifax, N.S., Barry, Hamilton, Ont.; and their mother, Patricia, Truro, N.S.; grandchildren, Denis, Kathleen and Annie, Halifax, N.S. and Matthew and Carolyn, Vancouver, B.C.; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers, Tom, NL and Emmitt, Montreal, Que.
Kevin was predeceased by his partner of 27 years, Rita Lachowiez and her son, Gary, sisters, Mona and Mollie, brothers, Martin, James and Dairmuid.
Leaving Loyola College to enlists in the Canadian Army, Kevin arrived in France shortly after D-Day with the North Shore Regiment of New Brunswick as a young lieutenant. By war’s end, he saw action in France, Holland and Germany. Included in his many decorations, and the one he was most proud of was the Military Cross for “gallantry in action†while serving in Germany. Although wounded twice in battle, he was not deterred from making his career in the military. He would serve in Korea and with the United Nations in Vietnam. On retirement from the armed forces, Kevin worked for the Bank of Montreal and eventually as a business consultant in Cape Breton.
As a young man, Kevin participated in a variety of sports, excelling in boxing and football, while at Loyala. A lover of books, Kevin was an avid reader of history and politics. As the son of an Irish immigrant, his passion for Ireland (which he and Rita visited on several occasions) and Irish history were second to none. He was a longtime member of Branch 12 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Kevin loved Cape Breton and particularly New Campbellton, where he and Rita lived for many years. It was there he learned to play ‘tarabish’, enjoying the game with his many friends. He was also a member of the Cape Breton Bridge Club.
Kevin will be fondly remembered by his Cape Breton family, Ron (Joanne), Sydney, N.S. and their children, Glenn (Laura), Oakville, Ont., Robbie (Amanda), Halifax, N.S. and Katie, Halifax, N.S. and by Betty Ann (Pat), New Campbellton, N.S. and Ponte Vedra, Florida, USA.
There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Interment and the Last Post will take place at the New Campbellton Cemetery at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.
Donations may be made to a charity of choice.
A special thank you to “the ladies from Newfoundland†and in particular, Ellen Bernard and Tracy Rose for the loving care they provided Kevin over the last six years and Janice Mader for her care and support during Kevin’s final days.
