James A. McKiernan
James A. “Jim” McKiernan, 77, of Holland, passed away, Friday, September 17, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Mary Eileen (Fitzgerald) McKiernan.
Born September 1, 1944 in Cortland, New York, he was a son of the late Robert L. and Marjorie E. (Brown) McKiernan.
Jim grew up in upstate New York, born in Cortland and raised in Lisle. He attended Broome Tech Community College. Jim found his love of math and his knowledge of the insurance industry from his father’s career were the perfect match to work in the Actuarial filed. He excelled in multiple areas of the life and credit insurance industry but found his niche in actuarial financial projects and later on in his own recruiting company, McKiernan & Associates, where he primarily concentrated on placement of high-level officers and actuaries. He worked for Columbia Mutual Life Insurance Company, Life Assurance Company of Pennsylvania, Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Bonifield Associates and McKiernan & Associates. His career over his lifetime allowed him to live in Binghamton, NY and beyond to Philadelphia, PA, Lindenwold, NJ, Pittsburgh, PA, and Bucks County, PA.
Jim’s originally was born a New York Giants fan, became a Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers fan too. He looked forward to football season and ran his own football poll with his friends and family for many years. Jim learned to pay golf at a very young age and even aspired to be a club pro someday. He was an excellent golfer and loved the sport. He belonged to Ford Hill Country Club, Whitney Point NY, and Laurel Oak Country Club, Gibbsboro, NJ.
Jim also loved playing card matches with Eileen’s mom Bee who is always ready to try to beat Jim and rub it in all in good fun. They were equally matched. He played cribbage for many years.
His most favorite place to vacation was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina since 1987. Jim and Eileen built a beach house there in 1995 and had wonderful days seeing wild horses, walks on the beach, tending to the house, waking up to beautiful sunrises and gorgeous sunsets. Both never expected to ever have this opportunity in life and so much appreciated this blessing and sharing it with others.
Jim met Eileen on a blind date while he lived in Pittsburgh, and they have been married for over 40 years. Jim had the best heart. He loved to make people smile and do his “good deed for the day” as he would say. Jim was the best grandson, son, brother, husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and great uncle, good friend and neighbor. He loved his country and was very proud and grateful to have lived in the USA. He wouldn’t miss a St. Patrick’s Day wearing green and in later years wearing his father’s green derby for the day. He will be dearly missed by many and welcomed by many who loved him first in his new life. God bless you, Jim. Until we meet again may God hold you in the hollow of his hands.
Along with his wife, Eileen, Jim is survived by two siblings, Stephen McKiernan and Christine L. Oakley; nieces and nephews, R.J. Wood, Kelly Wood, Carrie Marcelo (Carl), and Christopher Oakley (Arlo); grand nieces and nephews; Ryan and Charlotte Marcelo; his mother-in-law, Mary Catherine Fitzgerald; sister-in-law, Kathleen A. Wood; and a brother-in-law, Jack Fitzgerald.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, John “Jack” Fitzgerald; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Wood and Craig Oakley.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family from 10:00 am until the funeral service at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, with the interment to be held privately.
Contributions in Jim’s name can be made to the Lisle Village Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 73, Lisle, NY 13797.
Morning Visitation
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:00 AMJoseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, Richboro
800 Newtown-Richboro Road
Richboro, PA 18954Service
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021
11:00 AMJoseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, Richboro
800 Newtown-Richboro Road
Richboro, PA 18954