1 Photo
Sherman Kearns
Sherman Nicholas Kearns of Ridge, formerly of Westhampton Beach, died at Stony Brook University Hospital, surrounded by his family, on November 19, 2022.
Kearns was born to Margaret and William Kearns in Syracuse and spent the first several years of his life there before the family moved to eastern Long Island, first living in East Quogue and then moving to Westhampton Beach in the 1970s.
Kearns worked at the German deli in Westhampton Beach for many years as a teen. He attended college at SUNY Cortland and became an electrical apprentice in the 1980s. He graduated with top honors from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprenticeships to become an electrician for IBEW and Northgate Electric for many years.
Kearns met his wife, Susan Polito, at her place of employment while he was working for Northgate Electrical. After a year of dating, they married in a small ceremony in Nevada. The couple moved to Ridge and later had two children, Kaitlyn and Marissa.
Kearns was well-known in the area for assisting veterans, and he lay wreaths at Calverton National Cemetery for the Christmas season.
His hobbies included coin collecting, and he was an avid gun enthusiast. Survivors said he was known to be funny, and a lover of all animals, especially his two dogs, Sophie and Tasha.
In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by his siblings, Mary Kearns Lehman, John Kearns (Joy) and Sarah Kearns Sulzinski (Paul); father-in-law Charles Polito; in-laws Debra Polito Long (Ken) and Linda Polito, Michael Polito (Tammy), Charles Polito, Patricia Polito Tyndall (Billy); many nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Sophie and Tasha.
He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and William Kearns, and his mother-in-law, Patricia Polito.
Visitation took place at Werner Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach on November 26. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in East Quogue.
Staff Writer on Nov 28, 2022