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Cornelius Kane Obituary

KANE FATHER CORNELIUS THOMAS KANE, O.P. Father Cornelius Thomas Kane, O.P., died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the Brigham and Women‘s Hospital, Boston, MA, from complications following a stroke he suffered a few days earlier. Born Cornelius Francis Kane on April 7, 1926, he was one of nine children of Patrick and Katherine (née Murphy) Kane, in Dorchester, MA. His three brothers, the late Dennis C. Kane, Patrick D. Kane and John V. Kane also became Dominican priests, and two of his four sisters, the late Sr Catherine Patrice and Sr Dennis Marie were Sisters of Charity. His other two sisters, Noreen (Kane) McCarthy and the late Marge (Kane) Davenport married and raised families. He is survived by his sister, Noreen, and his 8 beloved nieces and nephews and his 23 grand nieces and nephews, who knew him as “Uncle Connie.” Fr Kane was also the brother of the late Thomas J. Kane. He enrolled in Providence College and was there until 1945, when he entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Province of St Joseph in Somerset, OH. As a Dominican, he was given the religious name Thomas. He made his Profession of vows on August 5, 1946 and was ordained a priest at St Dominic Church, Washington, DC on June 12, 1952. He was a priest for almost 57 years. For most of his priesthood, Fr Kane was a professor of Moral Theology, having received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC in 1953. He taught in the Houses of Formation of his Dominican Province from 1953-1956 and again from 1958-1962. For two years, 1956-1958, he taught at Trinity College, Washington, DC, and then in 1962 he joined the Theology Faculty at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, where he served as a tenured professor until his retirement in 2001. During his time at CUA, Fr Kane served as Chair of the Department of Theology for a number of years. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Fr Kane served as the Director of the Dominican Rosary Shrine of St Jude, located at St Dominic Church, Washington, DC, for many years. He also served as chaplain of the Washington Redskins‘ “Touchdown Club” in Washington, DC. Fr. Kane‘s body will be received by the Dominican community, St Thomas Aquinas Priory Chapel, on the campus of Providence College, Providence, RI at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Office of the Dead will be prayed at 7 p.m. in the Priory Chapel. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 6, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the Priory Chapel, Providence College, followed by his burial in the Dominican cemetery on the campus, where his brother, Fr Dennis C Kane, O.P., is also buried. WWW.BOYLEANDSONFUNERALHOME.COM

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Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Cornelius Kane

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August 14, 2009

Father Tom was a great friend of the Bolger family. He married Pat and me and baptized our two girls, Chris and Jessica. He also presided over the marriage of our daughter, Jessica.
Father Tom was a frequent visitor to the vacation house in OCNJ along with Father Phil Grimley. They were both so full of life and a joy to be around. He will be missed. We pray for him.

Babs Bolger

Sharon/Ross Bolger

August 10, 2009

My Mom and Dad had many great memories of Tom with the Washington Redskins and the Touchdown7 Club. He was our family friend along with Fr. Chris Grimley. Sharon and I were able to stay intouch with Fr. Tom and come to Washington to go out for a meal.
we have many , many great memories. I accompanied him back home to Dorchester once and meet the family. We went down to the local Pub for a little socializing, great time (approx 37 years ago) He had a great run, great memories and will be greatly missed. Being away from Washington I wasn't in the loop and just receive this e-mail.

Sharon and Ross Bolger

GOD Bless our friend Fr Tom Kane.

Father Robert Ferguson, FSSP

May 8, 2009

Father Kane was a professor at Dominican House of Studies during my time of studies there, and became a good friend. We would often go for meals at various restaurants there in Washington and continued to stay in touch. He was a wonderful example of Christian virtue, and an excellent teacher.
Requiescat in pace.

Bridget Patton

April 4, 2009

Fr. Kane was like a member of our family, in fact we called him the Coll Family Chaplain. We feel especially blessed to have had him in our life. I had the opportunity to become friends with Fr. Kane when I started being a reader at St. Joe's. In turn, Fr. Kane became an intrical part of every member of our families lives. He performed the wedding ceremonies for two of us girls, and performed the "super" baptism when three of us girls all had babies within a month of each other. He made the passing of our father, my mothers husband, much more peaceful, by being their for my dad and my family, and finally by being the celebrant of his life at his funeral at St. Dominics. He always took the the time to keep in touch, and know what was going on with Mom and all the girls who are now located all around the United States. He made the journey with our family the first two years after my Dad pasted to visit with him at the Cemetary. We felt like we knew his family too - always talking about the nephews and his family. It was obvious how important his family was too him and how much he cared for each and everyone of them. He always looked forward to the holidays with his family. When I would travel back to D.C. from Kansas City, I would always try to meet up with him for dinner or a chat, and again, he always wanted to know how all the Coll girls were and how Mom was - always concerned and caring for everyone. It was with great sadness we learned of his passing. He was such an incredible priest, person, a friend and member of the family. He will be with us always, and is continually thought about. We miss him greatly. Alicia Coll and the five Coll Girls.

Anne Jones

March 19, 2009

Father Kane, your homilies were always excellent and touched my heart in so many ways. You were a wonderful priest and I miss you and St. Joseph's very much. May your soul rest in peace with our dear Lord in Heaven.

Brian Hobbs

March 18, 2009

Father Kane made a lasting impression on me at St. Joesephs as I happened into the church for my first mass as a member of the parish. I will never forget that homily as long as I shall live Father Kane. I had just mentioned the day before going to this particular mass, I did not see why missing mass was such a big deal to the catholic church. So low and behold during my first Fr. Kane served mass what did he have for a homily? He practically bellowed to the audience during the homily "why, is attending mass every sunday mandatory, some parishoners ask me frequently because it is one of the big ten (ten comandments) that's why" he said and I know he was looking right at me. His entire homily was all about why attending mass on a every sunday is so important to our faith and to this day I am convinced his homily was meant for me, that Sunday. I shook his hand after mass and told him I really got a lot from his homily and thanked him (as became my custom for many sunday's after that one). From that day forward I was hooked on Fr. Kane and loved him and his homilies and could not get enough of him. I even recorded some of his homilies which I hope I still have. He became good friends with me and my wife and ultimately our children. We all grew up and old together over the next 25 years at St Josephs and I will never forget such a great example of what a priest is all about. Heaven just became an even better place. I miss him and I pray for his eternal happiness. God Bless You And Keep You Father Kane.

Lorraine & John Garofolo

March 17, 2009

John and I especially enjoyed Father Kane while he was part of the St. Joseph's "family." He always had time to exchange pleasantries with all the parishioners, admiring a shirt, or talking about sports. We looked forward to his beautiful Christmas cards in which he remembered us in masses. God bless Father Kane.

Timothy Dowd

March 14, 2009

Dear Father Kane,
You always were the most exquisite example of everything a wonderful priest could be.
R.I.P.
Tim Dowd

Mimi Baumgardner

March 14, 2009

Father Kane, you were a wonderful priest and friend. We miss you and the Bereavement Committee will remember you in their prayers as will a number of our dear friends who thought so highly of you.

March 12, 2009

Father Kane: What a treasure Father Kane was at St. Joseph's in Beltsville. He made theology and the Catholic Church come alive in his lectures for Adult Ed. It was always special when he was the celebrant and homilist at a mass. May he share his great sense of humor in the great beyond.
Lois Labs (Centreville, MD)

Bernie Deane

March 9, 2009

Father Kane will be deeply missed at our home, especially on days of celebration such as Mother's Day, his birthday or simply a Saturday night dinner. Father Kane was a true friend. He was an exceptional homilist. His education in the Catholic religion was his basis for his outstanding sermons every Sunday. He would always relate the "readings" to real life. All of us who were priviledged to hear him speak at Sunday Mass will miss him forever. Enjoy your everlasting life with Our ALmighty God and Father, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I hope you get a hole-in-one on your first round of golf on the courses of Heaven.

Patricia Woods

March 8, 2009

I remember Fr. Kane as a student at Trinity College in Washington D.C. trying to reach out to college students about our future responsibilities as Catholic women. It left an enduring impression. My Dad , Dr. C. Paul Bruno, was in the 2nd class to graduate from Providence College and stayed close to the Dominican priests in Providence. PC is still going strong and has produced so many men that set examples for the next generation.

Judie and Bernie Deane

March 7, 2009

Uncle Connie - you were part of our family - you blessed our throats at Super Bowl parties, blessed our beach house and were a true blessing to us. I loved our shopping trips and lunch afterward. Bernie loved to talk sports to you and you were always interested in Kristen and Katie's progress at school. You were so happy when they decided to attend Mount St. Mary's and St. Bonaventure. Thanks for all your prayers during good times and bad. You will surely be missed in our home and in our hearts. Say HI to MOMA for me....

Steve Davenport

March 6, 2009

Uncle Connie was one of a kind. He was constantly teaching and preaching. Growing up with 4 uncles as Dominican priests, it is amazing to think about all the lives that were touched by each one. Uncle Connie influenced family, friends, Catholic University students and local parishioners who heard his homilies. As we all try to make an impact in this world, his service inspires us. I will miss him but I have to believe there is quite a celebration in heavan with all his family and friends. God bless, you will be in my prayers.

Colleen Wilkins

March 5, 2009

Fr. Kane was a very welcome & loved "visiting priest" @ St. Joe's in Beltsville, MD. He was an "honorary parishioner" for over 20 years and a wonderful homilist. It was a sad day when he was no longer there with us! May he remain the great teacher he has always been! He has truly earned a seat at the right hand of God.

Michael Maloney

March 5, 2009

In the 1990's and early 2000's, I attended the 8AM daily mass at St. Dominic's in Washington DC. Fr. Kane was usually the celebrant; he also led the Rosary before mass. He gave very good homilies. I talked with him occasionally at the church, and liked him very much.

Barbara Girolami

March 5, 2009

I am also at St. Andrew's and am sorry to hear of Fr. Kane's passing. It was always a treat to have him here for Sundays Masses. He was a man of great insight, with a tremendous sense of humor. When I told him that his car trunk was open, he had my daughter rush out to close it lest someone walk away with his golf clubs!

May he enjoy eternal life with the God he served so well!

Mary Nickolaus

March 4, 2009

I am a member of St. Andrew Apostle Church in Silver Spring, MD. We were lucky enough to have Fr. Tom help out with Masses on Sunday at our parish. It was a joy to attend his Masses and get to know him. We enjoyed talking sports and after he could no longer come to say Mass he left my husband and me a phone message telling us that we better be rooting for the Red Socks in the World Series.
A wonderful priest and I know he's happy in heaven with his siblings and his Lord.

Bernie Casey

March 4, 2009

Father Tom Kane, like his brother Dennis (the "Admiral") who taught me at PC, was the genuine article, a man of learning and great human understanding. He was a friend of my mother's cousin, Father Charles McKenna, O.P., and of mine. R.I.P.

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