Obituary of John T. Kane

John T. Kane

John “Jack” T. Kane, 89, of Clinton, NY passed away October 12, 2025, at Abraham House Rome.

He was born September 6, 1936, in Toronto, Ontario, a son of the late Kenneth and Ann (Collins) Kane. Jack married Elaine Hancock on October 18, 1960, in Peterborough, Ontario. The couple soon moved to Clinton, NY in 1961 where they would raise their three sons. They shared a union of love and friendship for 53 years until Elaine’s passing in 2013.

Jack’s true calling in life was playing and coaching ice hockey. Joining the Clinton Comets in 1960, he played for 12 seasons on the Eastern Hockey League team, with 8 of those seasons as team captain. With 972 points, Jack was the all-time Clinton Comets regular season scoring leader. He led the team to 4 Walker Cup championships. Alongside teammates and friends Bill Bannerman and Borden Smith, Jack was on the highest scoring line in the 40-year history of the EHL. His passion for the game didn’t stop with his on-ice accomplishments.  He went on to coach all different ages over time from squirts, high schoolers and collegiate level players.

With his effortless charisma, a quick joke and a beaming smile Jack also had a way of making friends wherever he was. This helped him in many different salesperson jobs including a long stint at Golf Unlimited where he got to help others play and enjoy the only other sport that held a candle to hockey in his mind, golf!  He played many Sunday morning rounds with the late Harry Dorr, Merle Foster and Bob Meelan.

He is survived by his three sons and spouses, Todd and Rebecca of New Hartford, Daniel and Mary of Cleveland, OH and Kenneth and Sharlene of San Francisco, CA; his four grandchildren, Dylan, Brittany, Caroline and Emily; his sisters-in-law, Florence Hickson and Sandra Burns of Lindsay, Ontario; many nieces and nephews; and close friends Dave Armstrong, Chuck Demma and Pierre Prevost.  

He was predeceased by his sisters, Barbara LaBarr of Peterborough, Ontario and Patricia Kane of Toronto, Ontario; his brothers-in-law Bill Burns, Malcolm Hickson, Woody Woodcock and sister-in-law Dorothy Woodcock all of Lindsay, Ontario; his nephew Michael LaBarr; niece Darlene LaBarr; and friend Archie Burton.

The family would like to thank the entire Abraham House Rome staff for taking wonderful care of Jack in his final days.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday October 26, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 PM at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College Street, Clinton, NY. A Celebration of Life will follow at 5:00pm.

Please consider donations in Jack’s memory to Abraham House Rome or Clinton Youth Hockey at ClintonHockey.org