William F. Kearney Jr., 93

On Sept. 20, 2026, we lost our beloved father, William F. Kearney Jr. MD, of Alton. Bill was born Aug. 18, 1933, in Manchester, and had recently turned 93. He was the son of Julia Teresa (née O’Connor) Kearney and William F. Kearney Sr.

Bill graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Manchester, in 1951. He attended Tufts University, earning his bachelor of science in biology, magna cum laude, in 1955, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Bill married his college sweetheart, Barbara Dolph, on Aug. 24, 1957, went on to earn his doctor of medicine from Tufts University in 1959, and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. After graduating from Tufts, he interned at Boston City Hospital and completed his surgical residency in ophthalmology at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. He moved on to private practice in mid-1963 in Scarsdale, New York, before returning to his home city of Manchester, in mid-1964. He founded Manchester Ophthalmologic Associates, which grew over the years and is now NH Eye Associates. Bill was on staff at the Elliot Hospital and the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. He was chief of ophthalmology and a past president of the Medical Staff at the Elliot and was later named to its board of trustees.

Bill retired in 1998, after 39 years in medicine. During Bill’s residency he joined the NY Army National Guard as a 1st lieutenant in the 102nd Medical Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division. He was promoted to captain May 7, 1962, and transferred to the NH Army National Guard in June 1964, joining the 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 172nd Artillery as Battalion Surgeon. He served in the National Guard until December 1966 and finished his service with the Army Reserve in 1968.

Bill was a devoted husband and loving parent of eight children and 11 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, and his daughter Brenda. Together Bill and Barbara raised their family in Bedford and Alton. He is survived by his children, Patricia Kearney MD, Michael (Priya) Kearney, Sheila (Roger) Bennett, Kevin Kearney, Brian (Kristin) Kearney, Mary (Edward) Magré and Karen Kearney; and his grandchildren, Ryan Kearney, Christina Cottiero, Gabriella Cottiero, Robert Bennett, Dee Allen-Kearney, Liam Allen-Kearney, Isabelle Magré, Erik Magré, Owen Magré, Conor Kearney and Bridget Kearney. He also leaves behind the family of his brother Robert Kearney who predeceased him.

He loved spending time at the Lake Winnipesaukee house, especially with family, enjoyed reading, gardening, boating, and for many years flying his plane. He and Barbara spent many winters in the Naples, Florida, area.

Bill was an active member of St. Elizabeth Seton in Bedford, and St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Alton, for many years. For the past two years he lived and was cared for by the devoted staff at The Branches in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 40 Hidden Springs Road in Alton. A reception will follow downstairs.

To express condolences, visit peasleefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Epilepsy Foundation at secure.qgiv.com/for/epilepsyfoundationnewengland, Apraxia Kids at act.apraxia-kids.org/one-time-gift, or Catholic Charities of New Hampshire at cc-nh.org/ways-to-give/donate.