Christopher Michael Kiernan, Ed.D, 65, of 30 McCormick Rd., Newport, R.I passed away on Monday, August 10, 2009 at Newport Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the beloved husband of Margaret Livingstone Kiernan.

Chris was born on October 10, 1943 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in New York City to Hugh and Joan Kiernan. He attended St. Gabriel’s Grammar School and Manhattan College Prep in Riverdale, NY. After receiving 3 athletic scholarships for basketball, Chris decided on Assumption College in Worcester, MA where he found great success both on the court and off, ultimately graduating with a degree in History in 1965. He began his distinguished career and commitment to Catholic higher education at Assumption College as Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. In 1970, he went to work at St. Josephs College in Standish, Maine, where he worked simultaneously as Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Director of Athletics and Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach. In addition he became Director of Continuing Education and Dean of Summer School. Chris loved the “Great State of Maine” and times spent on Hearthside Road and Sebago Lake were some of the best of his life.

Chris came to Salve Regina in Newport, RI in 1980 as Assistant to the President for Development of Enrollment. At Salve Chris again wore many hats serving as Dean of Admissions, Vice President of Student Services, and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean and Academic Vice President. He was also responsible for the expansion of Varsity Athletic programs appropriate to NCAA Division III competition. Chris was most proud of the work he did to help Salve maintain their accreditation, saying “When it came to accreditation I batted 1000.” In addition he guided Salve Regina College transition to University status which included the development of the PH.D program.

In 1995, Chris found his true calling in the classroom joining the faculty as Coordinator of the Department of American Studies and Professor of History and Education. He was a dynamic teacher and coach whose intelligence, joy of learning, engaging style and most importantly his genuine liking of and respect for students and the teaching profession was always evident. His philosophy of education and life was: “You never quit on a kid and you never quit on yourself.”

Chris was a proud American serving his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and as President and Founder of Looking Good America Enterprises. He was a devout parishioner at St. Augustin’s Church in Newport and always believed that “faith gives rise to hope - Both contribute to loving our neighbor and this is how fear is overcome and good is done in our world.” He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Besides his wife of 41 years he is survived by his mother Joan Kiernan, his aunt Rita Cronin, his brother Hugh D. Kiernan of Staten Island, NY; his four daughters, Kathleen Kiernan Voss and her husband Kyle of Centerville, VA; Coleen Kiernan Hermes and her husband Tom of Newport, R.I; Marlene Kiernan Johnson and her husband William of Middletown, R.I; Christine Kiernan Ratkovic and her husband Cameron of Newport, RI; many nieces and nephews, and his six grandchildren, Gabrielle, Catherine, John, Madigan, Billy and Shea who gave him great joy and much laughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 14, 2009 at 10am in St. Augustin Church, Carroll Ave., Newport. Burial at St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Ln., Middletown. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 13, from 4-7pm in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport, RI.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
For more information, please visit www.onhfh.com

Reported: 08/11/09 (Show all obituaries for this day)
By: ONeill-Hayes Funeral Home (Show all obituaries and information about this funeral home)

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