Obituary of John P. Kearns

John P. Kearns, Sr. John P. Kearns, Sr. of the Village of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Castle Point VAMC. He was 95. Mr. Kearns was born November 10, 1913 in New York City. He married the love of his life, Virginia E. Fraleigh on August 24, 1947 in St. Peter's Church in Poughkeepsie; Mrs. Kearns survives at home in Wappingers Falls. John was the foster son of the Patrick Lally family; he enjoyed working on their family farm for many years, from a small child. During his time there, he discovered his love for cooking; he spent much of his life cooking, starting at age 12. John served his country in the United States Army during World War II. During his service he received several decorations and commendations such as the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Bronze Arrowhead, and the Good Conduct Medal. Before his retirement, he was a cook for Matteawan State Hospital for several years. In his spare time, he belonged to such organizations as The Improved Order of Red Men and the Degree of Pocahontas. He also was an avid bowler. In addition to his wife, Virginia at home in Wappingers Falls, he is survived by his sons, John P. Kearns, Jr. and his wife Rosalie of Hyde Park, Robert Kearns and his wife, Camille of Lake Hurst, NJ, and Leo M. Kearns and his wife, Georgia of Wallkill; his daughters, Ellamarie "Cissy" Cservak and her husband, Ronald, Gigi Baisley and her husband, Michael, and Jean M. Voght, all of Wappingers Falls; grandchildren, Angela, Ronald, Jr., Benjamin, David, Matthew, Nicholas, Jared, Brandon, Jennifer, Christopher, Melissa, Heather, Jason, Jesse, Brian, Joseph and Danny; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, including niece, Thelma Turner, and nephew, Don Turner. John was predeceased by his son, Dennis J. Kearns; his daughter, Patricia A. Kearns; and his grandchildren, Barbara and Mark. Family will receive their friends on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will be held following visitation at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.