Attorney Edward Murray Kiernan, 72, of Wareham, died on July 15 at the Newfield House in Plymouth after a short illness.

He leaves his wife of 44 years, Pamela (Conry); two sons, Michael Kiernan and his wife Sarah of Norwell and Steven Kiernan and his wife Cathrine of Norwell; his grandchildren, Kate, Anna, Amy, Christopher, Thomas, and Caroline; and his sister, Margaret Keating of Timonium, MD.

Mr. Kiernan was born in Wareham, the son of the late F. Edward & Esther (Murray) Kiernan.  He graduated from Tabor Academy in Marion, Babson College and Suffolk Law School.

After being admitted to the Bar in 1967, he returned to his hometown where he began the general practice of law which continued for 44 years until his recent illness.

He was a founding partner of the law firm of Ready, Kiernan and McNally, LLP in 2003. Mr. Kiernan was also a member of the Plymouth County Bar Assoc., and the Massachusetts Bar Assoc.

He served the Town of Wareham as moderator and as a member of the Planning Board. For many years he was counsel for the Wareham Fire District, also acting as moderator for the district meetings.  He was a past member of the Tobey Hospital Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Directors at Plymouth and Eastern Savings Banks.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and traveling with his family and friends. As a small-town Main Street lawyer, some of Ed’s fondest moments were the ones he spent at his office with his clients who would come for a visit or a cup of coffee.

His funeral will be Wed., July 20 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10 a.m.  Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham.  Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Bay State Branch, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.  For directions and online guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.