John N. Kane

John Noel Kane of Camillus, New York, died Saturday, August 7, 2021, with his family by his side. He was 84 years old.

A lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, Mr. Kane graduated from Christian Brother’s Academy in 1955, and the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in economics in 1959. At Holy Cross, he was in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp, and upon graduation, served two years in the Navy as a lieutenant. He loved telling stories about his time in the Navy, including being at the Bay of Pigs.

Soon thereafter, he married the love of his life since age 16, Catherine Anne Burns, and embarked on a successful 40-year career in real estate, co-founding Burns & Kane Real Estate. He was a loved and trusted broker, and had many interesting clients, including football and other coaches at Syracuse University. Mr. Kane also found time to volunteer in the community, including Meals on Wheels.

John and Katie raised four children at his home for 57 years in Camillus, where he loved to host New Years’ Eve parties and prepare for family his famous Thanksgiving turkey soup, apple pie, and authentic Italian subs – a recipe he perfected after dissecting a sandwich he purchased in the North End in Boston while in the Navy. He spent countless hours rooting for his beloved New York Yankees, New York Giants, and Syracuse University basketball and football teams from his favorite armchair.

John so loved the water. He was an avid and lifelong sailor, beginning his journey on the sea in the waters off Cape Cod where he spent summers growing up. He continued his journey in the Navy, and then for many years on Skaneateles Lake where he commanded his own sailing vessels, including "Rais'n Kane." John would bestow his love of the water and knowledge of sailing to his children, and to other family members and friends over the years.

John also loved being with his friends in Skaneateles, laughing at Al’s Bar, golfing and talking about the fine points of wind direction. He enjoyed time at his and Katie’s lake house where he could be found once again looking out at the water, and taking his grandchildren tubing and to the Cove.

John also loved spending the winters on the beach in St. Augustine, Florida, casting a line with his friends, celebrating the many fish he caught, and cursing the big one that got away. From his balcony, he loved looking out at the water and figuring out whether the wind direction and conditions were right for fishing. He was also a voracious reader, and particularly loved books that involved sea adventures.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Katie, and his four children, Catherine (James) Ronis of Potomac, Maryland, Deborah (William) Strott of Syracuse, John Jr. (Anne) of Severna Park, Maryland and Jennifer (Brian) Stanton of Syracuse; three brothers and a sister, Arthur Kane of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Thomas Kane of St. Augustine, Florida, Richard Kane and Judy Hibbs, both of Charlotte, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as “Bumpa”; and twenty-seven nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Arthur and Helen Kane; two brothers, Robert and Paul Kane; and a sister, Nancy Donellan.

A private family funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Camillus where Mr. Kane was a faithful, devout parishioner for many years. He will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Skaneateles.

Family friends can view the live streamed funeral Mass by visiting St. Joseph’s Church website and clicking on John’s service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Syracuse Veterans Medical Center at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/46646309/.

The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and other medical staff at Upstate University Hospital who so compassionately cared for Mr. Kane during his illness.