Kevin Francis Naughton

KEVIN FRANCIS NAUGHTON (69) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by his large and loving family on March 20, 2025. He was born November 6, 1955, to Thomas Emmett and Olga Marie (Plaza) Naughton. Kevin was proudly raised in the historic Pullman and Roseland neighborhoods of Chicago. In his youth, Kevin was an accomplished accordionist, winning several state competitions in Illinois. He received his Sacraments at Holy Rosary (Slovak) Catholic Church. Kevin attended Mendel Catholic High School. In 1970, the growing Naughton family relocated to Iron River, Wisconsin. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1973. Shortly after, Kevin joined the Air Force, where he received training as a radiology technician. Following his military service, he moved to the Twin Cities, working at Saint Mary’s Hospital and later at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where he worked as a cardiology radiology technician and instructor in the heart catheterization lab for 17 years. A devoted Catholic, Kevin was active at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Kevin lived for music! He loved listening, playing, and sharing his love of song with all those around him. He was a very accomplished guitarist. Kevin especially loved his “Three B’s”: the Beatles, Beethoven, and Bowie. His passion for music led him to guide several of his loved ones into a life of music appreciation and performance. 

Kevin was proud of his Mexican-Irish heritage and enthusiastically traveled to his ‘homeland’ of Ireland many times throughout his life. He was energized by spending time with family and friends, often regaling them with tales of his beloved Chicago (and the Cubs), his annual pilgrimage to the Air and Water show, and jaunts to Fado Irish Pub. Known for his sardonic humor, visionary and often lengthy storytelling, Kevin had the profound gift of capturing the keen attention of his kin. Kevin had a strong work ethic and enjoyed employments with his numerous compadres at Gino’s Pizza, The Liffey, Kieran’s Irish Pub, The Local, Brit’s Pub, Barley John’s Brew Pub, and lastly, at Wine Street. 

Preceeding him in death were his parents, Thomas Emmett and Olga Marie (Plaza) Naughton; sister, Claudia Ann (Naughton) Capello; grandsons, Michael Emanuel Judy and Elijah Amir Naughton; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Eileen (Lemen) Naughton; niece, Bridget Rose (Lipinski) Clifton; nephew, Sean Patrick Lipinski; godparents Ophelia Mary Plaza and Martin Joseph Naughton Jr., aunts, Mary Dolores (Naughton) Dunn and Estelle Rose Plaza; and uncle, Arnold Jesse Plaza.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 35 years, Therese; children, Monica, Ryan, Megan, and Conor; siblings, Sharon (Joseph), Timothy (Kimberly), Brian, Maria, Robert (Odessa), John, James (Paula), and Jason; grandchildren, Sierra, Mackenzie, Kaden, Amirah, Mi’arah, and Nariah; an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and many loving friends around the Twin Cities, country, and world. 

A visitation will be held Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at O’Halloran & Murphy, 575 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul, MN. 

On Monday, April 7, 2025, a visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian burial at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave., Saint Paul, MN.
Interment at 12:45 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 753 Front Ave., Saint Paul, MN. Luncheon and Celebration of Life to follow the interment.

In place of flowers, memorial gifts may be offered to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls at 1140 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607, or at donate.mercyhome.org.

Sláinte, Kevin - strumming in eternity! Paz y Amor.