In adulthood, reflecting the strong ties of their upbringing, each of the eight family members remained close. In 1981, Shawn, Kevin and Danny purchased the Kirkwood Motor Inn from the estate of Carl Burke.

With the high interest rates at the time, financing was difficult. To help complete the financing, Bill and Kathleen took out a $50,000 mortgage on their home on Riverview Drive.

THE KlRKWD _ V" ”593‘? ~0ng

77w original Kirkwood Motel was built in 1957

That was followed by the purchase of the Wandlyn Inn (now the Holiday Inn) in 1983. Shawn remained as an investor in the expanding businesses until they got too complex in light of his growing law practice, and he sold his interests back to his brothers.

Danny and Michael went into business together, running the Gentlemen Jim’s bar and restaurant on University Avenue. (Michael later sold his share back to Danny, and headed to Toronto, and later the Cayman Islands and Chicago.) While still in university, Mary Jane managed The Barn for Kevin. With their growing business enterprises, Danny and Kevin not only shared administrative offices, but ideas as well. Shawn handled the legal affairs for the family. Kevin and his wife Kathy, an interior designer, together with Mary Jane and her husband Mike Cassidy, restored and operated an historic inn on Great George Street. Michael joined the business on his return from Chicago.

174 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC