Kevin B. Connearney of Hanover, formerly of Watertown and Hingham, died January 12, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 45 years, Barbara Sullivan Connearney of Hanover; his children Colleen Connearney Scheibner and her husband Scott of Arlington and Sarah Connearney of Arlington; his grandchildren Owen and Miles Scheibner of Arlington; and his sister Margery Moriarty of Yarmouth Port. He is predeceased by his parents Walter and Katherine Connearney of Watertown and his sister Kathryn Greenwood of Abington. He was also loved by countless brothers and sisters in law, nieces, and nephews.
Kevin grew up in Watertown and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1966. He attended UMass Boston and then joined the US Army and served from 1968 to 1969 as a K-9 Officer in the Military Police in Pleiku, Vietnam. When he returned from Vietnam, he continued as a dedicated civil servant. He worked for the Federal Government for more than 30 years in the US Army Corps of Engineers and then for US Customs and Border Protection, retiring as Assistant Director of Mission Support.
A life long learner and renaissance man, Kevin was an accomplished and self-taught wood worker, chef, computer whiz, home improvement guru, upholsterer and the handiest of handymen. One of the great joys in Kevin’s life was the ocean. He loved the beach, commuted for years by ferry and spent many summer days sailing his own boat around Hingham Harbor. A world traveler, he enjoyed many memorable trips with his family. Among many outstanding character traits, Kevin will be remembered most for his quick wit, helping nature, ingenuity and determination.
Kevin’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Brightview Senior Living in Arlington, especially the team in the Enhanced Care Unit, and the Hospice Care Team at Visiting Nurse and Community Care for their skilled and loving care of Kevin over the past one and a half years.
A celebration of Kevin’s life and burial at sea will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: Visiting Nurse and Community Care, thevisitingnurses.com/donate or 110 Fitness at 110fitness.org; an inclusive wellness center where Kevin participated in Rock Steady Boxing to fight back against Parkinson’s disease. Please visit devitofuneralhome.com to view an online guestbook.