Brother James Kearney F.M.S.

Bro. James Kearney FMS, a member of the Marist Brothers of the Schools for 64 years, died on May 14, 2013 at Champagnat Hall, the Marist Brothers Residence in the Bronx. He was 83 years old.

Born in New York City, Bro. James entered the Marist Brothers’ Novitiate, at Tyngsboro, MA in 1948. He professed his first vows in 1950. After completing his religious and academic studies at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York, he began his ministry at Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx as a teacher from 1952 to 1959, then as Dean of Students from 1959 to 1963. Bro. James continued to serve in the Archdiocese of New York at St. Agnes High School in NYC as principal from 1963 to 1970. He returned to Mount St. Michael Academy in 1992 to serve as principal and then to St. Agnes High School where he was the Director of Professional Development.

Bro. James received his undergraduate degree from Marist College in English, a Masters degree in American Literature from St. John’s University and a Masters degree in School Administration from Columbia University. He received permanent certification from the State of New York in English, School Administration and School District Administration. Bro. James was granted Honorary Doctorates from both Iona College and Marymount College.

Bro. James served in the Archdiocese of New York from 1970 to 1989 as Associate Superintendent of Schools, then Deputy Superintendent and finally as Superintendent of Schools. From 1989 to 1992 he was a visiting Professor of Education at Marist College, and from 2006 to the present he served as a member of the Marist College Board of Trustees.

Bro. James served as a Trustee and President of the Board of Trustees on the Board of the Lavelle School for the Blind and on various religious, educational or philanthropic boards. Bro. James is survived by two brothers, William Kearney of Berwyn, PA and Michael Kearney of Ridgefield, CT. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Margaret Coughlin. Bro. James was the son of the late William Kearney and Nora Keating.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, Friday, May 17, followed by burial at the Marist Brothers’ Cemetery in Esopus, New York.

For more information please contact:
Marist Brothers Provincial Office

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