SALEM — John T. Kilroy, “Jack,” age 78, born Aug. 29, 1937, formerly of both Lynn and Swampscott and currently of Salem, died peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton after a valiant battle with complications from an emergent surgery. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him and ultimately gave him peace.
Jack was the son of the late John J. and Kathleen T. (Halloran) Kilroy of Lynn. He was born and raised in Lynn and a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He was also a graduate of Salem State University, Merrimack College and Bridgewater State University, receiving two master’s degrees, as well as gaining advanced Teacher Training certificates from Harvard University. He retired from the Lawrence Public School System in 2005, where he was known affectionately as “Mr. K” to his students at the Alternative High School.
Jack loved tennis and sailing, playing chess and spending quality time with his close friends and family. He loved playing the saxophone and listening to music. He was a deeply loved man with a tremendous ability and capacity to love and cherish people. He made an impact, he cared and he questioned, he loved “the facts.” He became a part of many extended families through his commitment to belonging and his deep value of family/friendship connection.
Jack was a loving father to daughter Maureen (Kilroy) Radoncic and her husband, Bach, of Billerica and son Dr. David Kilroy and his wife, Maureen, of Marblehead. He was “Grandy,” a beloved grandad to eight grandchildren, Violet, Elijah, Shane, Eden, Astraea and Charley Radoncic, and Braiden and Shaylah Kilroy. He was a devoted “Uncle Jackie” to over 30 nieces and nephews. He was the brother of Julia (Kilroy) Hoinoski and her husband, Walt, of Enfield, Conn. He is predeceased by his sisters, Mary Ann (Kilroy) Griffin, Kathleen Kilroy and Josephine Kilroy, as well as his former wife, Arlene Peterson.
Service information: A memorial Mass will be held in Jack’s honor at St. Mary’s Church, 8 South Common St., Lynn, on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held in the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, from 3-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.