Tributes for James Kiernan following heart attack at Shalom College

Friends and loved ones have remembered a ‘kind, genuine and devout’ teacher and father after he collapsed at his desk and died on his first morning back after school holidays.

The loved ones of Shalom College religious education teacher James Kiernan have posted moving tributes in memory of the ‘amazing teacher’ and ‘genuine bloke’ who touched many lives.

Tributes have flowed for beloved Shalom College teacher James Kiernan after he suffered a fatal heart attack at his desk on Tuesday morning at the age of 58.

Mr Kiernan collapsed at his desk soon after arriving at school from his Woodgate home around 7.30am.

Three colleagues gave him CPR while the ambulance was enroute, but the staff and emergency services were unable to revive him.

College principal Dan McMahon informed parents of his death via an email sent shortly before 11am on Tuesday.

Loved ones have since remembered the religious education teacher and father-of-three as a kind, genuine and devout man who influenced many lives within the school community and beyond.

Friend and colleague Dale O’Connell said Mr Kiernan – survived by wife Peta and their three daughters – was “one of the good guys”.

“An incredibly sad day today,” Mr O’Connell said in a Facebook post.

“James Kiernan was one of the most genuine blokes I have ever had the honour to call a mate and colleague.

“The world has lost one of the good guys.

“Thoughts and prayers are with Peta and family. RIP Seamus.”

Friend and colleague Dale O’Connell (left) remembered James Kiernan (right) as “one of the good guys”.

Mr O’Connell’s wife, Kylie, said the loss of Mr Kiernan was “heartbreaking”, given the recent arrival of his grandchildren of whom he was so proud.

“Heartbreaking, he had grandchildren arrive this year and the last time I saw him, he was so proud sharing all his pics,” Mrs O’Connell said.

“My heart breaks for his family.”

Mr O’Connell spoke of Mr Kiernan’s extensive knowledge of theology which he imparted to countless students as a religious education teacher.

“(He was) a man of great faith,” said Mr O’Connell.

“He would post feast days of saints on Facebook and was the go-to at school when you needed to clarify something for RE class.

“At one stage at Shalom College in Bundaberg, he was teaching six or seven RE classes.”

One of those students, Ky Ditchmen, remembered him as a “great teacher” and storyteller.

“Mr Kiernan was a great teacher during religion and the great stories he told, like when he told us how he ended his rugby career because of a fence; he will be missed,” Mr Ditchmen said.

Mr Kiernan was proud of his Irish heritage and had organised the St Patrick’s Day parade in Woodgate in his role as leader of the Woodgate Irish Group.

A parent, Jess Marshall, spoke of an “amazing teacher” and offered her condolences to the three colleagues who tried in vain to revive Mr Kiernan after he collapsed at his desk.

“Such sad news, RIP to an amazing teacher as my son referred to him,” Ms Marshall said.

“Condolences to this poor teacher’s family and to those three teachers who desperately tried to save his life.

“Also sending much love to all the students and their families, all other teachers and anyone else affected, my heart is just as heavy.”

Another parent, Rebecca Waghorne, said her daughters often spoke of Mr Kiernan as “the most loveliest man and teacher. Our thoughts are with his family”.

Outside the school, Mr Kiernan was proud of his Irish heritage and had organised the St Patrick’s Day parade in Woodgate in his role as leader of the Woodgate Irish Group.

Andrew Hales remembered Mr Kiernan as a “doyen” of Irish history.

“This is terrible news, he was an awesome bloke and a genuine good guy all around,” Mr Hales said.

Principal Dan McMahon (pictured) said Mr Kiernan was a devout man who will greatly missed by the school community.

In his email sent to parents of Shalom College students, principal Dan McMahon remembered a devout man who will be much greatly missed by the school community.

“James loved his Catholic faith and lived it,” Mr McMahon said.

“James has been a much loved member of staff at Shalom since 2021 and would, perhaps, have taught more students here than the vast majority of teachers given that he had a full teaching load of Religious Education.

“He will be greatly missed in this community.

NewsMail offers our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr Kiernan and the Shalom College community.

Originally published as Tributes for James Kiernan following heart attack at Shalom College