Rev. Thomas F. Kiernan

May 23, 1923 - March 19, 2014

Rev. Thomas F. Kiernan, 90, of Homer, New York, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Born May 23, 1923 in Cortland, Fr. Kiernan was a son of Joseph H. and Josephine Reardon Kiernan. Fr. Kiernan was a graduate of St. Mary's Parochial School in Cortland and started his education at St. Mary's the day the school first opened its doors in 1928. He went on to attend Niagara University and graduate from St. Andrew's Minor Seminary and St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, N.Y. Fr. Kiernan was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on May 6, 1948 at The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Syracuse by Bishop Walter Foery. Father faithfully served the Catholic Church as a Parish Priest at St. John the Evangelist in Pulaski, St. Ambrose in Endicott, St. John the Baptist in Syracuse, St. Patrick's in Binghamton, St. Joseph in Sanitaria Springs, Our Lady of Lourdes in Windsor, St. Paul's in Norwich and St. John the Evangelist in Binghamton. After his retirement Fr. Kiernan returned to Cortland to be with his family and continued to assist at his home Parish of St. Mary's Church as well as St. Anthony of Padua both in Cortland, N.Y. He is survived by his brother Patrick Kiernan of Homer, sister in law Jean Kiernan of Auburn, nieces and nephews Pia Tucker, Mary Anne Kiernan, Margaret Daly, Rita Kiernan, Maureen Kiernan, Robert Kiernan and Thomas Kiernan, and several great nieces and great nephews, and cousins John State and family and Mary Ann Kane. In addition to his parents, Fr. Kiernan was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses, Willliam (Theresa) Kiernan, Katherine Kiernan, Josephine Kiernan, Joseph (Margaret) Kiernan and Robert Kiernan, and his cousin Katherine Mary State. A Funeral Mass for a deceased Priest will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Cortland, N.Y. by Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop of Syracuse serving as celebrant. Prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Cortland. The Kiernan family will be present to receive those who wish to pay their respects on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. in St. Mary' Church 46 N. Main St., Cortland, N.Y. A prayer vigil for a deceased Priest will be held on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the church at the conclusion of calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of Riccardi Funeral Home, 69 N. Main St., Cortland, N.Y. www.riccardifuneralhome.com