Laurence “Larry” Joseph Kearney, Jr., of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Wilmington surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on February 3, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Laurence Joseph Kearney Sr. and the late Dorothy Estelle Corcoran Kearney.

Larry loved to sail, ski, play golf and cook. He earned his black belt in karate when he was in his sixties. Gathering with friends, lunch with the ROMEOs (retired old men eating out), movies and binge watching tv until the wee hours of the morning, game nights, and sudoku all kept him very busy. He was able to travel the world and explore new places with the love of his life Carolann.

Larry was the treasurer of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian Society; a flotilla commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; a member of the American Legion; and served his country as a Vietnam War veteran in the Navy as a Lt. Commander. He was quite proud of possessing both United States and Irish citizenship.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Carolann Miller Kearney; his children: Colleen Kearney Norris (Doug), Bridget Kearney Hogentogler (Wesley), Timothy Michael Kearney (Brenna); his grandchildren: Stephen Norris, Jillian Norris, Madeline Hogentogler, Olin Hogentogler, Greyson Kearney, Wyatt Kearney, Lilly Dollar; his sister, Kathleen Kearney Mindak; and brother, Kevin Kearney (Dr. Sally Scott).

A funeral mass and celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 1:30 pm at The Basilica Shrine of St. Mary 412 Ann St. Wilmington, North Carolina. The Celebration of Life will be immediately following and the venue announced at the mass.