WILMINGTON — John Michael Kane, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020.
He was born May 10, 1938, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Ella Kane Hogan and Vincent Kane.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vincent Kane; mother, Ella Kane Hogan; stepfather, Howard Hogan; baby brother, Vincent; brother, Dennis B. Kane; and nephew, Michael Kane.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anne Paquin Kane; four children, John (wife, Tracy), Kathleen (husband, Jeff), Christine (husband, Todd) and Thomas (wife, Mary Nell). He was a wonderful, loving grandfather/papa to his nine grandchildren, Meghan, Anna, John Patrick, Nicholas, Ryan, Ellie, Katie, Olivia and Eliza. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary; nephews, Patrick (wife, Meaghan and six children), Andrew Kane, Chris Kane (wife, Michelle); and niece, Debbie Kane Mullen (husband, Paul).
He attended St. Francis Xavier Military Academy, St. Peter’s Pre-engineering College, University of Detroit, Newark College of Engineering and Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. He was a member of Omega Chi Epsilon Honor Fraternity.
He was a dedicated employee of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, starting in 1963. He assisted with the design and start-up of the Pfizer Citric Acid Plant in Southport.
The family moved from Old Lyme, Connecticut, to Wilmington in 1974. He retired as plant manager after ADM bought the Southport Plant from Pfizer and started his own consulting company, Manufacturing Consulting Associates.
He was a devoted Catholic. He led contemporary, young adult music programs for decades in Connecticut, as well as St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilmington. He was currently a member of St. Marks Catholic Church. One of his favorite songs was “This little light of mine…let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
His education with the Jesuits at St. Francis Xavier High School defined how he lived. He often said they taught him to be a “man for other men.” That showed throughout his work, family, friends and church life. His greatest joys were being with his family, sharing his love of music, cheering for North Carolina State and fishing in coastal North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the name of John Kane to Xavier High School’s Annual Fund or Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, 3915 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. A funeral Mass will be held at 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, at St Mark’s Catholic Church, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, with Father Daniel Oschwald officiating.
Share online condolences with the family at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service.
