Beloved former Department of Surgery employee John Edward McKiernan, Jr. passed away Friday, March 1, 2019. He was 78.

A graduate of Flaget High School class of 1958 and Western Kentucky University, John was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and long-time member of St. Barnabas parish.

In the late 1960s John taught commercial business at Seneca, Fairdale, Western and Southern high Schools. He was employed for 20 years at the L&N Railroad and later at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Broadway Series. He retired from the University of Louisville Department of Surgery in 2009 after 12 years of service.

A seasoned world traveler, he was loved and remembered for his passion for dancing, Frank Sinatra music, his larger-than-life personality and generous heart. He possessed a natural gift for conversation and was interested in everyone who crossed his path. In his Flaget days he was the jitterbug king at just about every Catholic teen club in Louisville. He was especially proud of his Irish Catholic heritage and was admired and adored by everyone.

At John's request, expressions of sympathy may be made to Presentation Academy Development Office, 861 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202.