Patrick Joseph Kane, 86, of Taylorville, passed away at 3:37 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017 at his residence.

PJ was born October 12, 1930 in the Village of Louth, County of Louth, Ireland, the fifth of eleven children to Patrick and Kathleen (Lennon) Kane.  He immigrated to the United States in 1953, sponsored by his sister, Mary (Gib) West.  PJ’s wife, Cecilia Farrell, immigrated to the United States in 1954, and they were wed on April 14, 1954 in Battle Creek, MI.  They have been happily married for 63 years.

PJ worked at Alma Plastics for thirty years.  Upon his retirement, he began as an apprentice at his wife’s company, Kane Upholstery.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville.  PJ had a lifelong hobby of breeding and showing Border Fancy Canaries (singers).  He showed and judged birds throughout the U.S. and Europe.  While PJ won at the very highest level, it was a true passion and joy for the birds themselves, and visiting with his birding enthusiasts.  He truly reveled in going out to the bird room, with is cup of tea, to simply watch and observe.  He was sought out for his expertise, experience, and, of course, his bird stock!  PJ was a great dad, and will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved son, Michael G. Kane; daughter-in-law, Rae Kane; brothers, Roger, Vivian, Sylvester, and Eammon Kane; and sisters, Mary West, Eileen Boyle, and Anna Conlon.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Cecilia Kane of Taylorville; daughter, Kathleen (husband, Lyle) Parks of Taylorville; sons, Vivean Kane of Fishers, IN, and Patrick (wife, Diane) Kane of Morrisonville; grandchildren, Shannon (husband, TJ) Barber of Argenta, IL, Timothy (wife, Lori) Parks of Taylorville, Courtney (husband, Jake) DeClerck of Taylorville, and Katie Rose Kane of Fishers, IN; great grandchildren, Ayden Thomas, Christian Barber, AJ Barber, Alivia Wikoff, Ian Parks, Evan Parks, Isaac Parks, Tinsley DeClerck, Gage DeClerck, and Gunnar DeClerck; brother, Jerry Kane of Drominskin, Ireland; sisters, Mona Foljahn of Battle Creek, MI, and Margaret (husband, Frank) Stegal of Henderson, NC; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation will be provided prior to ceremonies.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 14, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 108 W. Adams St., Taylorville, IL 62568, with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz, celebrant.

Interment will follow the funeral mass at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.

Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, IL 62568 has been entrusted with ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.