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Hundreds mourn loss of James Kiernan

Realtor, restaurateur, family man always had a kind word for others
April 10, 2018

Story Location:
409 King Charles Ave.
Rehoboth, DE 19971
United States

Hundreds of friends, work colleagues and family members honored the life of James Kiernan at St. Edmond Catholic Church April 9.

Looking out over the crowd during his eulogy, family friend Vince Truant said Kiernan had a kindness and good spirit about him. Kiernan never talked sourly about anyone, Truant said.

Kiernan died April 2 at the age of 72. He moved to Rehoboth Beach with his wife, Veronica, and four young daughters in the early 1980s after four years in the Air Force and work in marketing for Volkswagen of America.

Kiernan turned Rehoboth Resort Realty into one of Sussex County’s largest development companies, building many single-family homes, townhomes and residential communities in Dewey, Rehoboth, Lewes and Georgetown.

Truant said Kiernan’s success in realty came through a desire to let everyone see what was great about Lewes, Rehoboth, Milton, Dewey and all of Sussex County. Kiernan often said this area is a magical forest that everyone wants to be a part of, Truant said.

In addition to his success as a realtor, Kiernan was a successful restaurateur, opening Irish Eyes in Rehoboth in the mid-1980s, which eventually expanded to Lewes, Milton and Middletown.

Kiernan was also one of the founders of Community Bank Delaware, and he was a philanthropist for many organizations including Autism Delaware, Beebe Healthcare, local fire departments, school districts and others.

Kiernan’s four daughters – Amy, Maryellen, Kathy and Jennifer – recounted many fond memories of their dad, but most importantly, Kathy said, he was a family man.

“Our overall well-being and safety is all he cared about,” she said. “I know if he were here right now, he’d have two words to say. Keep smiling.”

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