Michael Joseph Kearns

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Michael Joseph Kearns

September 24, 1955 ~ April 29, 2021

On April 29 in Salt Lake City at the age of 65, we lost our cherished husband, father, brother and uncle to COVID-19.

In his professional life, he followed in his family’s footsteps. As the great-grandson of Sen. Thomas Kearns, he founded and published several magazines. He lived in New York for many years working as a talented P.R. professional. He met his wife, Miriam, in New York and they were married in Salt Lake City in 1997.

He was known as a well-respected editor who celebrated writers and their creative skills. He had a quick dry wit and sincere words of wisdom to support those with whom he worked. As a young man, he loved to play polo. When his son took up water polo, he never missed a game or tournament and was known, as one coach put it, as “a legendary fan.”

His love later in life was history. He collected reams of historical documents on his family and at the time of his passing was near completion of an historical novel about Park City.

He leaves behind his heartbroken family: wife Miriam; son J. Thomas; sisters Mary, Kathy (Christopher Gould), Paddy and Carol; four nieces and nephews he adored; and countless cousins and extended family.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on May 12 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.