Pensioner's Association
"The Group"
No Longer Riding the Rigs
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| Tom Kearney |
| Last Alarm |
| Tom Clinton Kearney |
| March 1, 1918 May 26, 2014 |
| Service Dates |
| hired date / retired date |
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Peacefully passed away at Macassa Lodge on Monday, May 26, 2014
in his 97th year. Beloved husband of the late Ann (nee Sansone),
Dear brother of Peggy, Frank, Dick, Phil, Emma, Ethel ( all
predeceased). Loved brother-in-law of Marjorie Cooke. Louise
Partridge and Isabelle Sansone. Loved uncle of Brenda, Beverly,
Marilyn, Robert, Patricia (deceased), Nancy, Linda and Cheryl
(deceased) and their families. |
| St. Joseph Healthcare Tribute |
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Tom Kearney during his active career as a Hamilton
Firefighter. Today at the age of 95, Tom's dedication to help others remains as strong as ever. |
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Tom Kearney has seen an amazing 95 years of life and helping
people has been a strong theme throughout this time. With a
recently planned gift to St. Joe’s, Tom has ensured that his
legacy of caring and generosity will continue on to help our
future patients.
As a young man, he diligently served his country as a member of the navy in World War II and he followed that with decades of service to the people of Hamilton as a dedicated fire fighter. As someone who has risked his own life to save others, Tom certainly understands the value of lending a helping hand to our Hospital. Ask Tom about his life story and he begins, “I was born really young.” When he was a small lad, his parents moved their seven children from Montreal to Hamilton when Tom’s father landed a job with the Canadian Shovel and Tool Company which was based here from 1909 to 1930. Tom’s early days in Hamilton were very enjoyable and he can trace his love of music back to his youth. “I’d be lost without my music,” he says, mentioning that his favourite type is classic jazz. Perhaps that is what he listened to when he often visited a dance hall on James Street South. It was there on one special evening that he met his true love, beautiful Ann, who would become his wife, dance partner and travel companion for the rest of her life. As with many people, their lives were interrupted by World War II and Tom served his country at Canada’s naval base outside Glasgow, Scotland. His strength of character shows in many great stories however finding a lost wallet with a great deal of money underlines his honesty. Unlike his cohorts who suggested he could keep the money, Tom made sure it was returned because, “I knew if I didn’t turn it in it would bother me for the rest of my life,” he says. After the war, Tom returned to Hamilton and began a courageous 32 year career as a firefighter. “It was a good job” he says, “I always liked the thought of helping people.” He retired 35 years ago but his memories of fighting fires are very clear, beginning with his first really big fire in 1945 at the original Hamilton Airport. The facility burned out so completely that the operations were relocated up to the current location in Mount Hope. Tom and Ann enjoyed exploring the world together with many trips around the globe. “We saw every continent except Australia,” he proudly says, “and the closest we got to that was Singapore.” A trip to South America celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and Tom remembers surprising his love with a custom-designed opal and diamond ring. Tom had Ann’s brother, a jeweler, created the ring before their trip and kept it hidden in his shaving kit until the big day. Ann and Tom had many more happy times after that anniversary trip but sadly, Ann passed on in 2008, here at St. Joe’s. Tom has also been a patient here, many years ago following a stroke, and because of the excellent care they both received, Tom decided to leave a gift to the Hospital when he was planning his estate. We are so very grateful to Tom for this gift because it helps the Hospital to plan for the care of future patients who will need our help. With his customary charm Tom downplays his gift by saying, “It’s only money and you can’t take it with you. Caskets don’t come with pockets to put your money in.” When he describes his choice to become a fire fighter, Tom explains, “I always liked the idea of helping people in trouble.” He has seen so many changes in Hamilton during his long life but one thing that has not changed is the need to help other people. Tom’s days of putting out fires may have stopped 35 years ago but his gift to St. Joe’s will help patients who need our care for a long time.
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Hamilton Fire Department Pensioner's Association - "The Group" |
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