1943 - 2023
Visitation
August 9, 20239 A.M. - 12 Noon
Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex St., N. Chelmsford
Funeral
August 9, 20231 P.M.
St. John the Evangelist Church, 115 Middlesex Street, N. Chelmsford
Kevin Jarlath Tanner, 79, died early Sunday, August 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family after a brief illness.
He was married to the love of his life Donna L. (Patenaude) Tanner with whom he celebrated their 33rd wedding Anniversary on April 14th.
Born in Boston, MA on December 2nd, 1943. He was the son of the late Randolph and Mauretta (McGuire) Tanner.
Kevin graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Brookline, MA. Kevin furthered his education at Boston University where he played basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and then Southern Illinois University with a Master of Science in Education.
Kevin worked as a health educator and retired after 35 years from the Chelmsford public school system in 2002. Kevin’s passion and dedication as a Jr. High teacher has left an immense positive impact on his students. Kevin was actively involved in the community running many educational and charitable events.
Kevin’s hobbies included swimming at the YMCA in Nashua, playing tennis and skiing at Shawnee Peak and around the world. Kevin enjoyed vacationing in the Bahamas and Hawaii with family and friends. Kevin had a unique ability to light up a room with his Hawaiian shirts, his Donald Duck impressions and his quick-witted jokes to always make people smile.
Besides his loving wife Donna, Kevin is survived by his son Scott and his wife Julie Tanner of Londonderry, NH; his step son Robert and his wife Amy Sixt of Lynn, MA. His daughter Mauretta and her husband Jon Matta of Bedford, NH; his step daughter Diane and her husband Robert Vallance of Londonderry, NH. His mother-in-law Mary Ruth Patenaude of Hollis, NH. His brothers, David and his wife Mari Lou Tanner of Dennis, MA, James and his wife Sharon Tanner of Wellesley, MA. His sister Elaine and her husband John Hurd of Naples, FL and his sister-in-law Josephine Tanner of Weymouth, MA. Along with his six grandchildren, Brian and his wife Katie Mitchell, Ryan Tanner, Kurt Mitchell, MacKenzie Packard, Caitlin and her husband Matt McDonald, and Megan Packard; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Thomas Tanner. Kevin positively touched the lives of so many people and will be missed.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Visiting hours Wednesday August 9, 2023 from 9:00AM to 12:30PM at The Dolan Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held immediately after the visiting hours at 1:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Church. At Kevin’s explicit request in lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in his name to St. Jude Hospital stjude.org/donate. At Kevin’s request guests please wear Hawaiian/island themed attire. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com.
Peggy & Ed Ford
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Donna and family,
We offer heartfelt sympathies and wish you comfort in this time of sorry.
Peggy & Ed Ford
Gail and Fred
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Dear Donna and family, what can we say? We are all so sad and bereft and yet we know exactly where he is. Right where he came from and he’s up there entertains everyone and making them feel accepted.
Will always miss him terribly. Take care all.????????
Janet and Don Fedyk
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So sad to hear that Kevin has returned to Heaven, he will be missed?
Kathi Shorey
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Kevin from Heaven is now in Heaven. RIP Kev……Ron, Kathi, Kate, Adam.
Alan Archambault
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We are so sorry Donna. Kevin was a spark and the way he lit up Alpine was amazing! Thank you for sharing him with us! Al and Michelle A
Johnny Vereker
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We are so saddened to hear about Kevin. We had such fond memories of him and you Donna taking us to Mohegan Sun and having a wonderful time he always kept us laughing. He was such a happy guy and we are truly blessed to know both of you God bless you all. ❤️
Paul Bottas
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I have great memories of ‘Mr. Tanner’ from when I was a student at Parker Jr High School.
To say that he was a force is an understatement; he was such a positive influence on so many of us. His class was definitely one of our favorites. He was also probably one the happiest people that I have ever known.
My sincerest condolences to all of you. May he rest in peace.
Stephanie Moran Ludwig
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Mr. Tanner was fantastic teacher. I remember having him for Health class at Parker Jr. High School. He was funny and always made class interesting. My condolences to his family and friends on his loss.
Cristy (Davidson) Rosenhahn
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Mr. Tanner was my favorite middle school teacher. I have thought of him often through the years. I remember how funny Mr. Tanner and Mr. Tagliamonte (“Mr. T”) were at the faculty basketball game with Mr. Tanner holding up the D and Mr. T holding up the fence to get us to yell “defense” as well as his jokes in class to help us remember things he was teaching. How he danced around the room with the skeleton – it was hysterical but, helped me remember for sure! Since I was in junior high back in the very early eighties he definitely made a positive impact for me to still remember 40 years later. Thank you for everything Mr. Tanner. You were one of the great teachers at McCarthy for sure!
Dan Desmond
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Kevin and I used to talk all the time at the Y, he was always encouraging me to keep coming or calling me at home, asking where I was. My health took a downturn, walking, I haven’t been there for awhile and didn’t know he was sick.
I will miss our long talks at the pool, he was a good caring guy, who could always make his many friends at the Y laugh!
Cathy Thellen
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Donna. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Kevin was a wonderful man. He will be missed.
Rick Ray
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Donna my condolences, Kevin was a great guy as I remember him from his many visits to see you at your office. Always had a smile and joke to tell. I just had to laugh as I was thinking about the flower shirts he always wore, one of a kind with a great soul. Wishing you the best during this difficult time.
Bastian DiCaprio
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Donna and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Kevin was and amazing human being that would truly light up any room he entered. I personally will never forget the first time he called and made a reservation with me. When I asked the name he said, “Kevin from Heaven!” And he always had jokes. I’m proud that I can remember one of them. Most importantly he will always be remembered in our hearts. Anything we can do please reach out. We love you so so much.
XOXO Bastian, William, and Stephanie. And all your friends from SFK. ❤️???
Carolyn Francisco
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So sorry for your loss, Donna! Kevin’s joyful spirit remains with us.
Carolyn
Lydia Bowman
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Kids and I want to share out heart-felt condolences. Kevin from heaven, as he will be remembered, was so kind, knowledgeable, funny, and always engaged in life in front of him. I am so glad I got to be part of your lives. We love you and know he will be missed. The kids loved hearing his jokes and stories. Now you have another Angel watching over you. We love you all and pray for healing for the whole family.
Anne Coleman
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Condolences to Kevin from Heaven’s family. I was so sad to hear of his passing. We will miss him at the Y. Sending hugs and prayers to his family.
Ryan Patenaude
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It kills me to know I can’t be at your funeral. I hope that You can forgive me from Heaven, Kevin. You meant so many things to me, and you were always there for me at every difficult part of my life. You taught me to ski. You took me off alone and showed me mountains, and lodges, and how to talk to people. You saw something in me that most never did. I remember the mountains. And the lodges. And your snoring as a young, silly kid. You told me how to get rid of my acne. You interviewed me on Health Is Wealth when I got home from Iraq, and my arm was covered in a new stupid tattoo…I wish I’d spent longer with you. Noah, my oldest, had the same sort of relationship with you when we were there, and I wish all of my children could have known you better. I hope that tonight you get to ski. And pinch people on the knee. And gamble, with an XO in yer hand Uncle Kev. I miss you. I love you. And I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Fair winds and following seas Kevin from Heaven
Lisa Loya Durant
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I haven’t been in Mr Tanner’s classroom for almost 50 years, Health Ed, McFarlin School. I was extremely shy, but Mr Tanner coaxed me to speak up in class with his smiling face, Paul Pancreas and other body parts with names, and goofy puns. A couple days -no lie- before I heard of his passing, I had just remembered a favorite quip he said to incoming students in September: “You think I got a nice tan over the summer? You should see my son; he’s a little Tanner”. In 7th grade, I thought that was hilarious and I still do. I credit Mr Tanner for my love of the English language and puns, and my choice to teach children, esp the middle school ones! Please accept my condolences, and those of my (at least) 6 other Loya siblings who enjoyed Health Ed after me. Rest in peace, Mr Tanner!
Bobbi-and Doug Markham
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Doug and I want to share our heart-felt condolences to my aunt, and cousins as well as all his siblings. Uncle Kevin from heaven was one of a kind. He was good, funny, and always made us laugh. His life was so big and filled with love and my heart breaks for all of you. He was taken from us much too soon! So today (as he only could request) we celebrate his life by wearing Hawaiian colors to honor his amazing life. We will sincerely miss him.
Tara McHugh
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I immensely enjoyed Mr. Tanner’s Health Ed class — oohh way back when. I was one of the shyer kids in the class, but I loved the way he taught and connected with the other students. I wish his family some peace and light in this very difficult time. I hope your memories light your days. He will be greatly missed. Blessings, Tara McHugh (CHS, 1979)
J.P. Lambert
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I know that it’s past the point of your husband and father being buried but do know this ~~~ I am a PARKER JUNIOR HIGH ALUM too and gladly recall Mister Tanner’s kind effect. He made class and learning fun but what resonates is thus ~~~ he was a living example of what a quiet GENTLEMAN should be. My hope is that beautiful memories carry you all but well and that he may REST IN AN ETERNAL and LASTING PEACE. GOD BLESS!
Carolyn LaBossiere
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So sorry to hear of Mr. Tanners passing.He was my favorite teacher and also colleage when I started working for cps. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing (chs class of 79)
James McClutchy
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Donna, I am very sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. He always had a joke and a smile for every occasion. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to attend the service. I hope all else is well with you and the rest of your family. Jim