Kenneth Tierney

Ken Tierney passed away peacefully in New York on April 26, 2024.  He is survived by his children: Ann Duignan (Michael), Patrick (Marian), Kenneth (Denise) and Joseph (Annmarie), and his grandchildren Allison, Julie, Daniel, Kevin, Kayley, Kelly, Claire and Sean. He is predeceased by his wife Mary Jane (née Nolan), parents, Julia (née Hayes) and Patrick, his sisters Sheila (McDermott), Nancy (Vizard) and Veronica (Sexton) and his brother Sean. He leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ken was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1926 where he attended Sacred Heart School in Glasnevin. In 1934 he relocated to live with his grandparents in Dunmore, Co. Galway. Despite his city origins Ken loved the countryside and its people, and he listened intently to their historical accounts of events in Irish history. After his schooling locally in Dunmore he attended St. Jarlath's College in Tuam, Co. Galway which was known as a bastion of all things Gaelic and nationalist. His education at St. Jarlath’s enriched his knowledge and passion for Irish history. 

In 1948, like so many Irish in the post-war years, Ken emigrated to London and there he became an R.N while working at Whipps Cross Hospital. There he also met his future wife, Mary Jane Nolan, also an R.N. and native of Co. Longford. Ken and Mary Jane emigrated to New York City where they were wed in 1954; they settled in Yonkers where they raised four children. After retiring from healthcare in the 1980s, Ken went on to volunteer at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital where he offered support and help to those diagnosed with macular disease.

Ken will be remembered for his kind, compassionate, empathetic heart, and his love of family, friends, animals, nature and his native Ireland. He had a voracious passion for reading and could always be found buried in a book or a newspaper in his free time. He highlighted items of interest and stored them away to ensure preservation of the historical accuracy for his children and grandchildren. His childhood and interests maintained his love of the Irish language and he would occasionally use his cúpla focail to recite a poem or a proverb. He was known, and deeply respected, for raising his voice against injustice in Northeast Ulster. Ken never forgot and was eternally grateful for the support he and his fellow Irishmen received from the Irish-American community in New York and elsewhere in the 1970s. Buan fear ina dhúiche féin.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s name may be made to The Eye Bank for Sight Restoration or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Eye Bank for Sight Restoration:

 https://www.justgiving.com/page/kennethtierney

St. Jude's Children’s Hospital:

http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/kennethtierney

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Monday, April 29, 2024 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM for visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Kenneth at The Church of the Magdalene on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM, officiated by Father Timothy Wiggins. 

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