Mr. Peter J. Kearney
Deceased: 2025-06-19
Diocese: NEW YORK
Seminary Graduation Year: 1960
CSM Graduation Year: 1963/1970
The announcement of Peter’s passing was Thursday 19th June 2025. After a year and a half of assisted living, Peter gave up his fight and is now in the care of the good Lord. Peter is predeceased by his wife Clare, his mother and father and brother Johnny. He is survived by his brother Anthony Kearney and several nieces and nephews.
Peter was born on the 16th of September 1935 in Bronx, New York to Pete and Rosie Kearney. Both his parents were Irish immigrants. His father, Pete, hailed from Co. Louth and his mother, Rosie (Nee) Cassidy, from neighboring Co. Monaghan. Peter was one of three siblings and grew up in New York with his brothers Johnny and Anthony.
Peter entered seminary at the diocese of New York. He then moved to Rome in 1956 where he attended North American College and studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University receiving an S.T.L degree (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) and was ordained. He went on for studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and obtained an S.S.L. degree (Licentiate in Sacred Scripture). Peter celebrated his first mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. As a young priest, he and his family went to Ireland to meet all their relatives and friends. This was a special occasion for Peter’s mother as he offered mass in her hometown church, St. Joseph’s of Carrickmacross.
In 1970 Peter was invited to join the School of Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America where he was an Assistant Professor of Old Testament Scripture in the Department of Theology.
Peter met his beloved Clare while at Catholic University. After a friendship of 8 years they married on May 23, 1981 and lived in Falls Church, Virginia. Peter worked at the Library of Congress where he served first in the copyright office, then moved to cataloguing, focusing on Hebrew and Jewish texts. During this time, he was sent by the Library of Congress for a year-long sabbatical in Israel to further his studies in biblical languages. They moved to Fredericksburg, VA in the early 2000’s where Peter continued to commute to work via Amtrak.
Due to Clare’s declining health, they made the decision to move back to Falls Church and reside at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads where they received great care and developed many new friendships. Peter and Clare enjoyed travel, learning, music, conversations, and cherished time spent with family and friends. Peter made several trips to Ireland where he visited family with whom he shared a strong heritage. Assuming from his Irish roots, Peter with a twist of tongue was known for his clever limericks. These he shared at family gatherings and work events and during travels, and he also created a much-anticipated Christmas letter each year.
There will be a memorial service for Peter (and Clare) at the Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads chapel on 7/21 at 11:00 am followed by refreshments in the art gallery. Those who knew and loved Peter may wish to make a memorial donation to the Goodwin Living Foundation (https://goodwinlivingfoundation.org/).
