John Kiernan

1944 - 2025

John Kiernan
09/25/2025
Watertown: John (Jack) Francis Kiernan, 81, of Boxborough, MA, formerly of Watertown, CT, beloved husband of Donna (Zehnder) Kiernan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 25, 2025, following a long illness.
Jack was born in Waterbury, CT, on June 28, 1944, son of the late John and Ruth (Blansfield) Kiernan. He attended local schools and earned degrees from Stonehill College and SUNY Albany. For over 30 years, he was employed as a librarian for the State of Connecticut, working at Waterbury State Technical College, Mattatuck Community College, and Capitol Community College.
Following his retirement, Jack volunteered regularly at Waterbury Hospital, where he provided support in the clinical library and assisted with discharging patients. Commensurate with his lifelong passion for swimming, Jack served as an official for the Connecticut Swimming Officials Association for over 35 years, judging high school swim meets. Above all, family was his focus and his greatest happiness, in recent years, was time spent with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Donna, he leaves two sons, Patrick Kiernan and his wife, Kathleen, of California and Daniel Kiernan and his wife, Elizabeth, of Massachusetts, and three cherished grandchildren, Allison, Ryan, and Sean.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 11, at 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main St., Watertown, CT. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
The Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St., has been entrusted with the arrangements
For additional information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.hickcoxfuneralhome.com .