Joseph P. Kane, Jr., 67, of Manchester, NH, died October 2, 2016, at Catholic Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family, after a sudden illness.
Born in Manchester on August 30, 1949, he was the son of Joseph P. and Helen D. (O’Brien) Kane. He was a lifelong resident of the Queen City.
Chief Kane graduated from Bishop Bradley High School, Class of 1968. Afterward, he studied with the National Fire Academy and the University of New Hampshire.
He served with the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
Chief Kane began his career as a firefighter with the City of Manchester Fire Department in 1971. He served as senior fire inspector, a fire prevention chief, and later as deputy fire chief. He was also a dive master with the department for many years. In 1994, he was appointed to serve as fire chief, until his retirement in 2007.
His professional organizations were several, including a member of the Manchester Professional Firefighters Relief Association, Manchester Professional Firefighters Association, New Hampshire and New England Associations of Fire Chiefs, New England Association of Fire Marshals, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of Underwater Instructors, New Hampshire Fire Prevention Society, and Deputy Fire Warden with the City of Manchester. His final act as Chief was to express his gratitude towards the work of The Hundred Club of New Hampshire, of which he was also a member. He also served on the board of directors with United Way, Salvation Army, Members First Credit Union, and Keep Manchester Beautiful. He was a member of the Piscataqua Sailing Association.
Skiing was his passion and he was an avid sailor. He worked at Loon Mountain from 1969 to 2012 where he was a Level III PSIA instructor and a National Ski Patroller. Chief Kane helped to coach and impart the gift of skiing into several future Olympians.
Chief Kane was well-known for his calm demeanor, affable nature, generosity, and sound judgment. He will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing this remarkable man.
Family members include his son, Michael Kane and his girlfriend, Paige Houlihan, of Intervale; his daughter, Kaitlyn Kane and her fiancé, James Boulton, of Oxford, England; two sisters, Patricia Joy of Manchester and Candide Kane of Glen; a brother, John Kane and his wife, Ann, of Hampton Beach; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; an aunt; and his former wife and friend, Nancy Kane of Lincoln, RI.
Services: Calling hours will be held Friday Oct. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, corner of Concord Street, Manchester, NH.
The funeral will be held Saturday with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Saint Joseph Cathedral, Pine Street, Manchester.
Memorial donations may be made to the Manchester Firemen’s Relief Association, 100 Merrimack Street, Manchester, NH 03103.
