Kerins, Daniel J.

Daniel J. Kerins, 91, of Villa Saint Benedict in Lisle, formerly of Naperville 1964-2017, passed away on January 30, 2021. Dan was born February 28, 1929, to Thomas S. Kerins and Anne (Crotty) Kerins on Chicago's south side.

Dan's loving wife Barbara J. Kerins (Kelly) of almost 67 years, preceded him in passing on October 22, 2020. Dan is survived by his daughter Margaret (Tom) Cleary, sons Daniel Kelly (Rosalyn) Kerins and Patrick Kerins, his loving grandchildren, Sam Kerins of Brooklyn, New York, Angela Cleary, Dan Cleary, and Peter Cleary, all of Chicago.

Dan grew up in the Rainbow Beach area of 75th street and graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1946. At the age of 17, Dan joined the United States Marine Corps and served for two years. After his service in the Marines, Dan was offered a football scholarship to the University of Detroit where he met the love of his life, Barbara Kelly. Dan started on both sides of the ball for the Titans during his three varsity season, 1949, 1950 & 1951. Dan and Barbara both graduated in the spring of 1952 and were married the day after Christmas, 1953.

Dan's father, his five uncles, and his older brother all preceded him as members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 2 Chicago. Dan was raised in that active union environment, understanding from an early age that labor had the right to a voice in the workplace. A 50 year gold card member of the Stagehands Union Local 2, Dan spent much of his professional life successfully representing working men and women as the Business Manager of Local 2 from 1967-1996 and as an International Vice President of the IATSE from 1987-2004. His wealth of friendships and contacts took root during his upbringing in Chicago, grew through his college and business years, eventually extending throughout the United States and Canada. Dan was well read and very knowledgeable in the history of organized labor in America.

Mr. Kerins coached Pop Warner Football from the late 1960s through much of the 1970s. As an assistant coach, his 8th grade Naperville Youth Redskins won three Fox Valley championships. Dan's efforts were aimed straight at making kids feel they belonged. Striving to win football games was only the journey. Each kid feeling good about his own involvement was the destination. Over the following decades Dan was approached by men telling him how much they enjoyed their time on those Redskin teams, how much fun they had. He felt nobody had more fun than he did.

Dan was an excellent American handball player who excelled for decades in four wall singles matches. Dan wasn't merely just competitive, but rather developed a habit of defeating much younger players up until the time his knees could no longer respond in his late 50's. Always one to adapt to circumstances, Dan traded in his handball gloves for swim goggles and committed himself passionately to lap swimming. A gym rat his whole life, he was determined never to be denied a workout.

Dan was never idle in retirement. He continued to swim a mile almost every day through his 70's. Painful arthritis in his shoulders and elsewhere slowed him in later years but he never allowed himself to lose determination or stop trying. Danny was that guy. He was still swimming through most of his 80's. For many years he volunteered time at the Saint Patrick's Nursing and Rehabilitation Residence in Naperville. The friendships he developed at St. Pat's provided joy and the work made him proud. A devout catholic his whole life, he attended mass every day in retirement. Dan and Barbara were members of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville for 53 years before moving to Villa Saint Benedict's in Lisle. Both he and Barbara were very much committed to their faith. Dan was a good man in so many ways. Above all else, he was a great husband, father and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, February 11th 11:00 AM at SS. Peter & Paul Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540. Private interment at St. Michael Cemetery, Wheaton, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540. For more information, please call 630-355-0213 or www.friedrich-jones.com

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