John Coleman Kearns, 76, of Upton and Harwich Port, died on September 9, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Karen (Mattson) Kearns for over 35 years. John was born May 26, 1939 in Boston, the son of the late William F. and Edna L. (Coleman) Kearns. He grew up in Wellesley and graduated from Wellesley High class of 1957. He began his working career at Barnes Engineering, then moved to the family business, Coleman Bros. Inc., where he worked with his brother on many bridge and road projects throughout New England. In the late 1960s he joined Stedt Hydraulic Crane Corp. retiring in 2004. John was a car enthusiast, an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and was a life-long Red Sox fan, but his true love was his family. His most treasured moments were spent with his 15 nieces and nephews and 16 grand nieces and nephews. He was a role model for all and none tired of his animated storytelling. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister Edna and her husband Jack Tenney of Fort Myers, FL, and his sister-in-law, Joan Kearns of Mansfield, MA. John was predeceased by his brother William F. Kearns and his sister Patricia Lowman and her husband Charles. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 15th at 10:00am at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 151 Mendon St., Upton MA with burial to follow in Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield. Calling hours will be held Monday from 4:00-7:00pm at the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St., Ashland, MA. www.mataresefuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org.