John James Kiernan, 96, died May 11, 2022, surrounded by family. Born in Springfield on October 16, 1925, he was the son of the late John J. & Margaret (Byrne) Kiernan. He was a long-time resident of East Longmeadow.
John attended Cathedral High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 18. As a nose gunner in a B-17 bomber, John flew 26 missions over Germany during World War II. Returning home, he followed in his father’s footsteps and got a job working on the railroad. He then took a job with New England Telephone where he remained for 35 years. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed many winter seasons in Naples, Florida.
He enjoyed gardening and created a massive vegetable garden in his backyard. His children were assigned daily gardening tasks, and the family enjoyed fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables year-round. He was a man who could fix anything around the house and liked things done right and there was only one right way.
John treated the young people in his life to outings to his favorite, New York City; it was a rite of passage for every teenager to spend a weekend visiting the city sights, dining out and going to shows.
John was predeceased by his first wife, Phyllis (Duquette), brother, Hugh, and sisters, Ann Driscoll & Mary Noone. He leaves his wife, Jacqueline (Stalker), sons, John of W. Springfield, and David & wife Heidi of Clayville, RI, daughter, Nancy Kiernan-Campbell & husband Don of Southampton, MA, grandchildren, Leah & John Kiernan, sister-in-law, Jackie of Monson, and several nieces & nephews. He also leaves his stepdaughters, Sharon Pinkerton and her children, Brandy, Amy, and James Pinkerton & his partner Jane, and Donna Bedinelli & husband Dino, and their children, Dino Michael & his partner Clementine, Nicole Bedinelli, Jackie Willemain & husband Justin, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, May 17, 10-11 a.m. at Tazzini Funeral Home, 22 Locust Street in Springfield, proceeding to John’s burial, with full military honors, at St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to a charity of your choice.
Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.