Francis John ‘F.J.’ Kiernan Jr.

Francis John Kiernan Jr. , known as “F.J.,” a longtime Southold resident, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. He was 75 years old.

F.J. was born Dec. 7, 1947, in Southampton, N.Y. to Eleanor (Pensom) and Francis John Kiernan Sr. Raised in East Hampton, he graduated from East Hampton High School. After high school he attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where he attained his teaching degree. F.J.’s dad passed in 2018. F.J. and his dad ran a Boys Club in East Hampton for 40 years.

On Aug. 24, 1974, F.J. married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Soper, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sea Cliff, N.Y. Together they had two daughters.

In his professional career, F.J. worked as a French teacher for Greenport School District for 35 years. While there, he was a coach for the junior varsity and varsity baseball teams. He was a member of the Greenport Teachers Association. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Southold, where he served as an elder as well.

F.J. is survived by his wife, Betty; children Amie Keels (Marshall) of Southold and Jeanne Kiernan (Robert Bohn) of Southold; and grandchildren Bryce Keels, Caelyn Keels and Aela Bohn.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at First Presbyterian Church of Southold, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Peter J. Kelley.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dylan Newman Forever 5 Foundation, 485 Gardiners Lane, Southold, NY 11971, or the Cindy Goldsmith-Agosta Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 758, East Marion, NY 11939.

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold is assisting the family.

This is a paid notice.