Bernard Kane, 94, Ashland Citizen of the Year Recipient, Helped Found Framingham Little League, & World War II Veteran

ASHLAND – Bernard “Bernie” Kane, 94, of Ashland passed away at home onWednesday, October 27, 2021, surrounded by his family. 

Born in Framingham, he was the son of George J. and Bertha (Ellis) Kane. 

He was the husband of Marie B. Engel for 66 years.

Bernie attended Framingham schools, graduating from Framingham High School in 1944 and then Framingham Business School.  In high school he participated in track and was captain of the basketball team.  He led the team to the Tech Tourney at the Boston Garden in his senior year.  He was also second in the state in the high jump. After graduating he played semi-pro basketball and fast pitch softball in the local area. 

Bernie worked as a sales representative for Gulf Oil Corporation and later was general manager for Trinity Oil, Inc.  He was also employed as the New England regional manager of Westransco Freight Company and Regional Sales Manager for Euro-American Air Freight Forwarders. 

During World War II, Bernie served his country honorably as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Bernie had a strong sense of civic involvement.  He was a member of the Massachusetts District Board of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. 

He was instrumental in starting Little League Baseball in Framingham and was coach of the Elks Dodgers for 5 years.  A member for 65 years of the Framingham Lodge of Elks, he was a Life Member and served as Past Exalted Ruler.

When Bernie moved to Ashland, he became a well known figure around town and continued his town involvement.  He was a member of Ashland Post #77 American Legion; a member and Past President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Cecilia’s Church; a lay minister of the Eucharist and served as the coordinator for many years at St. Cecilia’s Parish; a Third Degree member and Life Member of the Knights of Columbus; past chairman of the Ashland/Holliston Relay for Life; and a “Friend of Bill W” member for 54 years. 

One of Bernie’s greatest honors was when he was Ashland’s Citizen of the Year in 1987.  He received citations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate recognizing his years of public service.

Besides his wife Marie, Bernie is survived by his five daughters: Kathleen Morse-Villa (John), Lisa Wisel (Danny), Maureen Rice (Steve), Kelly Lacasse (Pete), Maribeth Rabidou (John); three sons: Chris Kane (Martha), Tim Kane (Lori), Mike Kane (Tricia); 28 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his son Kevin Paul Kane;  five sisters: Doris Giroux, Muriel Crandall, Charlotte Grace, Beulah Thorne, Barbara Sheehan; and two brothers: Warren Kane and Earl Kane. 

Due to Covid 19, there will be a private burial.

A Memorial Mass will be held Sunday Nov. 28 at 1noon in Grace Church, 21 Centre St. Dover, MA followed by Memorial Visitation and Celebration of Life at the Framingham Elks, 450 Union Ave. Framingham, on Sunday afternoon from 3 to 7PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Kevin Paul Kane Memorial Fund at www.kevinkaneslegacy.com or Knights of Columbus, checks payable to Bishop Rice Council #4822, PO Box 483, Ashland, Ma 01721.

https://kevinkaneslegacy.com/