Gerald F. Kearney, 92, a longtime resident of Framingham, died Monday, December 2, 2024 surrounded by his family after a period of declining health. Born in Boston, he was the beloved son of the late Bernard & Mary (Daly) Kearney, and the loving husband of Eleanor R. (Rizza) Kearney for 71 years.
Gerald was raised and educated in Newton Highlands, graduating from Newton High Trade School, and serving his country proudly in the United States Air Force (42nd Tac Hospital) during the Korean War. He and Eleanor settled in Framingham where they would raise their children. Gerald worked in law enforcement as a Police Officer for the Town of Framingham, Assistant Public Safety Officer for the Town of Framingham, Chief of Police at Framingham State College, Chief of Police at Tufts University, Director of Security at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Director of Security for TJX. Never one to sit still Gerald worked as a school bus driver in his retirement for the Town of Framingham until the age of 87. His favorite job in retirement was working security for over 25 years for the Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park, Fort Myers, FL.
Gerald was member of the Board of Directors for the Metrowest Community Federal Credit Union until his death, Joseph P. Keefe Regional Technical High School Committee, Town of Framingham Zoning Board, the Massachusetts Police Association, and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
A builder at heart, together with his sons, he built his pride and joy vacation home on Sebago Lake, ME, where he and Ellie spent 56 happy years with their family. Smart, kind and loving Gerald was a family man whose true loves were his wife, family, and guarding the 4 Red Sox World Series trophies. He enjoyed the occasional quiet time of a cribbage game with Ellie, always knew when a good joke was needed, and was loved by all who knew him.
Besides his loving wife Ellie, Gerald is survived by his children, Sharon McManus of Framingham, Stephen & his wife Jeannine of Burrillville, RI, Donna DeWitt & her husband Jeff of Chelmsford, James & his wife Deborah of Douglas, and Roberta McDonald & her husband Greg of Framingham, his 10 grandchildren, Lisa Yanez, Meredith Connery, Paul Murtagh, Tyler, Emma DeWitt, Cameron, Hanna, John, Kelsey Aramburu, and Meghan McDonald, 9 great grandchildren, his sister, Mary Ellen Degnan, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Gerald was predeceased by his brothers, Kevin and Bernard.
Family and friends will honor and remember Gerald’s life by celebrating his Funeral Mass on Saturday morning, December 14th in St. George Church, 74 School St. Framingham at 10 o’clock. Interment will take place in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerald’s name may be made to the Jimmy Fund, “Team Police Chiefs” in support of the walk to cure cancer, http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/MichaelHealy.
Arrangements by the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham. To share a memory with the Kearney family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home