Thomas Kean

Thomas Joseph Kean passed away February 27, 2022 at his daughter's home in Charlotte.

He was born August 6, 1932 in Drexel Hill, PA to the late Thomas Joseph Kean Sr. and Helen Toughill Kean.  Tom was second of six children.  Eileen (deceased), Patrick (deceased), James (deceased), Kathy (deceased) and Rosemarie.

Tom was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janet on October 15, 2014, just shy of their 60th anniversary.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm, Friday, March 4,2022 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The Funeral Mass will be held at  11:00 am, Saturday, March  5 , 2022 at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Albemarle, NC.  Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory, 2001 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC.

Tom is survived by his two daughters, Teresa Kean and Ann Kean-Teed, as well as his beloved granddaughter, Ashley Teed.  Also by his sister Rosemarie Kean and sister-in-law Frances Kean, James Kean’s wife. He has many nieces and nephews.  Margie Nelson, Patrick Kean, Colleen Edwards, Mary Beth Doughtery, Eileen Hutchinson, Debbie Meenan, James Kean, Helen Long, Michael Kean, Mary Shay, Rosie Wallace, and their families.

He attended West Catholic High School in Drexel Hill, lettered as a swimmer there and was a Life Guard at Aronimink Swim Club.  Tom’s three sisters became Catholic Nuns in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph community, a teaching order.

Tom attended LaSalle University in Philadelphia on a full swimming scholarship as well as ROTC training.  He met his future wife at Aronimick Swim Club. He married Janet Hartquist, daughter of Virgil and Mildred Hartquist, on November 13, 1954.  They immediately went to Fort Sill, OK for Tom to serve in the Army as a surveyor.  They, then, served three years in Hanau, Germany.

In 1960, they moved to Albemarle, NC to start up Jefferies Southern Processors, a textile dying company.  In its full operation, Jefferies employed 200 faithful employees. He served on the Chamber of Commerce board.

Tom’s special interests included the pool at the Stanly County Family YMCA and the Swim Team at UNC Chapel Hill.  Tom and Janet sponsored building the warm water pool at the YMCA as well as six swimming scholarships at UNC.  They also had the diving platforms built at the Koury Natatorium and the score board.  Tom participated in many UNC Big Hitter’s Golf Tournaments. He, faithfully, attended and followed UNC football and basketball games. Tom was a trustee on the YMCA’s board and their Endowment board.

In 1995, he swam in the Senior Olympics in San Antonio, TX, after qualifying in NC, and came in 10th in Free Style.  In 2013, Tom and Janet were awarded the Singleton Award from the Duke Cancer Institute.  Tom and Janet had many philanthropic endeavors involving helping children and young adults.

His family and many friends over the years will miss him and his generosity of heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stanly County Family YMCA or the Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic Church, both of Albemarle, NC.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Kean family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com