Obituary of Kevin Hanafin

Kevin Hanafin, A Master Plumber, passed away after an extended illness on Saturday, October 5, 2013. He was 56 years old. Kevin was born in Winchester and grew up in Burlington. He was a graduate of Burlington High School Class of 1975Kevin had worked with the Boston Teamsters for most of his career. He worked throughout Boston working on commercial plumbing, government buildings, and even worked on the Big Dig. Kevin was always willing to lend a hand to a family member or friend who needed assistance, especially when it was a plumbing issue. Kevin was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Billerica Elks where he had many friendships. He was an avid fresh and salt water fisherman. He enjoyed cruising on his motorcycle and taking his dog, Sara, on walks around the Burlington Reservoir. Annual family vacations in Old Orchard Beach were a very important part of his life. He always looked forward to his camping weekends with his son Patrick in Sanford, Maine and Lake Ossipee. Kevin was the loving father of Patrick of Billerica. He was the beloved son of Richard & Noreen of Burlington. He was the brother of Brian of Billerica, Eileen Ferren & her husband Jack of Burlington, Richard & his wife Noelle of Burlington, John & his wife Beverly of Burlington and Michael of Wilmington. He was the former husband of Marybeth (Gately) Hanafin of Billerica. Kevin was also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Kevin’s name may be made to American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01710. Words from Jack Patrick, Marybeth, Dick, Noreen, Brian, Eileen, Richie, John, Michael; Family and Friends - Good Morning - I am honored to share with you some words of remembrance of Kevin Hanafin Kevin Hanafin; Father, son, brother, brother-in-law, Uncle, Nephew, Godson, Cousin, Friend, and Brother in Law When you think about Kevin Hanafin some adjectives that may be used to describe him might be; kind, friendly, calm, peaceful, or giving. He was dedicated and loyal to family and friends. Kevin was a kind and gentle man who thrived on Family, always in attendance for a family holiday celebration, visiting new born babies in the hospital or someone recovering from surgery, Confirmations, Holy Communions, fund raisers, or family Sunday dinners at his parents’ home. Kevin never missed a family event. Kevin faced a lot of health hurdles in his short life; he dealt with each one with a quiet determination. Years of Diabetes, and more recently Parkinson’s, he certainly had more than the 9 lives of a cat. Never the complainer, despite all the pain and suffering, Kevin often said that he wished he could take away any pain or illness that a family member had and take it on him self. Patrick Hanafin his son, meant the world to Kevin, they had many fond memories of camping weekends in Sanford Maine and Lake Ossipee. The memories grew for Kevin and Patrick with the annual Old Orchard Beach Hanafin Family vacation. Uncle Kevin always brought a huge bag of candy and sparklers for his nieces and nephews to share, and in return they made sure he had a Popsicle in hand. Tommy Hanafin always looked forward to the annual walk up to the boulevard with Uncle Kevin to pick out his birthday gifts, as we always celebrated Tommy’s birthday during that week. Speaking of gifts, Kevin found joy in picking out a Christmas gift for each niece and nephew for the traditional annual Christmas Eve celebration at his parents’ home on Oak Street; he looked forward to watching them open their gifts Kevin was an avid fresh and salt water fisherman; he enjoyed bike rides on his Harley with his brothers and friends, and Bike weekend @ Laconia Kevin was known for his one liners, Kevin can I get you anything? “2 tickets to Paradise”, can’t do that Kev “How about a million dollars”, can’t do that either; “Well I’ll be a Yankee Doodle dandy then” My favorite was: Mind over matter: “If you don’t mind it don’t matter” Kevin was a funny guy and a good listener, I heard a story of a friend knocking his boss on how; awful, mean, self-centered, inconsiderate, foul, and the list continued, this guy completely downloaded on Kevin and when done with a real serious face Kevin looked him straight in the eye and said “ Its good thing were perfect” Kevin had a favorite song, not a chart buster, just a simple song stuck in his head - “Bloop, bloop, bloop - bloop, bloop, bloop”. Then there was Sara, as they say a dog is man’s best friend, well his dog Sara certainly was his best friend. He took her everywhere. She never left his side. He took her for walks down the Reservoir every day that he could. It was tough on Kevin to have to give up those walks. Sara seems so sad now wondering what happened to her loving Dad. She’s a beautiful loving Black Lab and we will find a nice home for her where she’ll be much loved. We want to thank Pat Connolly, one of his best friends, for always being there for him. When any of us were concerned about his Diabetes, Pat was always there to help out. He had more Diabetes knowledge than any of us after taking care of his late father. God rest his soul! Marybeth, you were very good to Kevin through the years and his whole family is very thankful for that Patrick, you’re a fine young man, if ever a need, we are here for you. Dad was very proud of you; continue to achieve your personal goals. So, even though Kevin was not lucky enough to live a long healthy life, WE were lucky to have called him our Son, our Brother, our Uncle, our Cousin, our Father, our Friend. Our Brother in Law. We will remember him always with love in our hearts Please bow your heads and think of a personal moment that you had with Kevin that brought a smile to your face and know that Kevin is looking down on us today with a smile, for the pain and suffering is over, he was tired and God brought him home to rest. Kevin rest in peace, until we meet again. Thanks for the memories and for always being there with a helping hand! God Bless!