DANIEL JAMES KANE

Daniel James Kane of Quincy died peacefully, surrounded by family on July 22 nd . Born in South Boston on December 29,
1940 to Daniel and Marie (Butler) Kane, Dan had many fond memories of growing up in a large, close-knit family of Irish
immigrants with friends that seemed to have always been up for an adventure. Dan graduated from South Boston High
School in 1958 and went on to proudly serve in the US Army. Having had the chance to travel while stationed overseas,
Dan set off to California for college and graduated from California State, Long Beach with a degree in archeology. He
met the love of his life, Kathleen, while they were working at the Long Beach VA Hospital. After an extended
honeymoon traveling through Europe, Dan and Kathy returned to Southern California and settled down in the beach
enclave of Belmont Shores. Dan’s heart has always been in Boston so in 1971, Dan and Kathy loaded their VW Bug with
all of their belongings and Kathy’s brother, Pat, and set off for a road trip across the US. They settled in South Boston,
just down the street from Dan’s family and soon started a family. They quickly outgrew their apartment and bought an
old house at a great location in the Merrymount neighborhood of Quincy and then spent the next 30 years updating and
expanding it while raising 6 kids. Their home was known for being the place to gather for celebrations and to turn to in
times of need, often chaotic with kids, projects and pets in all directions and where all were accepted and supported.
“Big Dan” and Kathy were unendingly optimistic and generous even in the face of great challenges. Dan worked nights
at the Post Office in Boston, only retiring to care for his beloved wife Kathleen when she fell ill and died in 2011.
Dan’s fondest memories were of family gatherings and vacations that always included cousins, brothers, sisters and
friends. He is the beloved brother of John of Quincy, Thomas and his wife, Susan, of South Boston, Theresa of Quincy
and William and his wife, Patricia of Wilmington. His nieces and nephews were loved as his own children and brought
him the greatest joy and comfort through his final days.
Dan devoted his life to raising his children and being the backbone of the family. He worked nights, picked up overtime
and taught swim lessons to adults at the YMCA in Boston. His children were raised knowing that there were no
obstacles to achievement if they were willing to put in the work. Even with his schedule, Dan rarely missed a soccer,
basketball or baseball game, wrestling match, musical performance, ballet recital, awards ceremony and coached his son
Dan’s championship winning Little League team. He was an avid handball player and loved to swim. Dan’s older kids
remember going to the YMCA with him as small children and taking turns sitting on his back as he swam laps. Of all the
teams Dan played for and cheered on, he was a lifelong Red Sox fan. He was known for singing “Take Me Out to the
Ballgame” as a lullaby to his children and grandchildren, teaching them to cheer for the Red Sox.
Dan, Dad, Grandpa will be missed beyond words by his children and grandchildren. There has never been a celebration,
tragedy or moment when good advice was needed that he hasn’t been the first person called. His children, Kathleen
McGrattan and her husband, Michael of San Diego, Ann Marie and her husband, Mathew McNamara of South Boston,
Janet and her late husband, Clint Antar of Quincy, Daniel and his wife, Jill of Quincy, Mary of Weymouth and Laura of
Worcester are forever grateful for their father’s never ending generosity, wisdom and support. His grandchildren, Hope,
Ashlynn, Kelsey, Desmond, Alana, Alex, Clint, John and Gigi knew that Grandpa was always on their side, up for an
adventure and believed that any time was a good time for an ice cream.
Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, August 1 st from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Spencer Funeral Home, 575 E. Broadway, South
Boston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Brigid Church, 841 East Broadway, South Boston, Monday
August 2 nd at 10:00 a.m.