IN MEMORIAM: Joseph R. Keegan, 91;
World War II Vet, Retired Statistician
CHERRY VALLEY – Joseph Roger Keegan, 91, a World War II veteran and retired statistician in state and federal governments, passed away on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 in St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in New York City on Jan. 20, 1927, the eldest son of the late Roger and Beatrice (Reape) Keegan, both immigrants from Ireland. He married Patricia (Ford) Keegan on Dec. 15, 1962, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Cherry Valley.
Drafted at 17, he served in the Army during and after World War II in the Pacific at the 156th station hospital in Okinawa. Upon his return to New York City, he used the GI Bill to get a bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and went on to get a master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University, as well as taking advanced courses in statistics. Many years later, after his retirement, he returned to SUNY Albany and received another master’s degree in Library Science.
While going to college, he worked at the archives in New York City. After his education, he first worked for the state government, and then for the federal government as a statistician. He retired after 20 years of federal service.
He then volunteered in several libraries, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s and the Albany Institute of History and Art. He loved to read, was an avid researcher, and was very interested in science, particularly space science. He believed in lifelong learning.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia, his son Michael, and Michael’s wife Bernadette. He is also survived by his brother Patrick, Patrick’s wife Dianne, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his other siblings, Helen and James, and James’s wife Dolores. He is also survived by Helen’s husband, John.
Calling hours 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, att Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley, 22 Church St. The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at St. Thomas the Apostle in Cherry Valley , followed by burial services at Cherry Valley Cemetery. Following the burial services, there will be a reception at Kateri Hall of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Donations are welcome to either the Cherry Valley Fire Department Emergency Squad or the Planetary Society.
To send online condolences visit www.ottmanfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.