1932
John
2024
John F. "Jack" Keenan
January 26, 1932 — June 30, 2024
A Memorial Reception will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Tatnuck Country Club, 1222 Pleasant Street, Worcester, from 3:30pm-6:00pm. The tribute will begin at 3:30pm, reception immediately following. Jackets/tie is optional.
WORCESTER - John F. "Jack" Keenan, 92, of Worcester, Massachusetts died peacefully on Sunday, June 30th, 2024. He leaves his beloved wife of 41 years, Rayna Keenan; 4 children, Carol A. O'Brien and her husband, Stephen, of Holden; Janet M. Keenan of Worcester; John F. Keenan, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Northampton; and Mary Ellen Keenan of Boston; two stepchildren, Lisa J. Bader and her husband, David, of Wakefield, Rhode Island; and Andrew Heilpern and his wife, Carol, of Waltham; seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and his brother, James G. Keenan. His sister Cecilia A. Gallagher, died in 1968. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Bernard Gersh, his sister-in-law, Ann Gersh, and their children; and his nephew Charles Gallagher and niece Cathy Maxson of Colorado.
Jack was born in Queens, New York City, to George F. and Cecilia A (Schmidt) Keenan. He graduated from St. John's Prep in Brooklyn in 1950 and was selected to the Hearst newspaper all-city basketball team. He played varsity baseball, basketball and football at St. John's and was a member of two New York City baseball champion teams and one basketball championship team.
He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1954 and was a member of the 1952 team which won the NCAA National Baseball Championship.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and was discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.
He graduated from the evening division of Boston College Law School in 1960 and was admitted to the bar that year. He then attended the graduate law program at Suffolk University Law School. During these years he worked as a salesman for Procter and Gamble Company and as a claims adjuster for Lumbermen's Mutual Casualty Company.
He entered the private practice of law in Worcester in 1961, first with the firm of Fisher, Keenan & Foley, then with the firm of Wolfson, Moynihan, Dodson & Keenan, and finally with the firm of Wolfson, Keenan, Cotton & Meagher, primarily engaged in trial practice.
He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers; a visiting instructor in trial practice at Harvard Law School; a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys; a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and former two term Vice President, Chairman of its Fee Arbitration Committee, member of its Board of Delegates, member of its Executive Committee together with other committees and task forces; a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and former Chairman of its Superior Court Committee, its Executive Committee, and other committees; a former member of the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts on the Rules of Evidence and the Standing Advisory Committee to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts on the rules of Civil Procedure; named in the publication "The Best Lawyers in America" since 1987; selected as a member of "New England Super Lawyers" and "Massachusetts Super Lawyers"; and was a frequent lecturer at Continuing Legal Education seminars. In 1985, he was named National Trial Lawyer of the Year by Trial Lawyers for Public Justice.
Jack was a "Lion of the Law" and a "Master of his Craft." He enjoyed all aspects of his practice, but especially loved being in a courtroom and did not retire until he was in his mid-80's.
He was a "Rock and Pillar" for his family for whom he cared deeply. He was always readily available to listen, counsel, problem solve and help, and loved the time spent with his children, grandchildren, and family members at frequent family gatherings.
Jack was a talented athlete who played sports throughout his life. However, when he became a member of Tatnuck Country Club 30+ years ago, golf became his passion! He was very proud of the "Hole In One" he scored during the TCC 1996 Invitational, and another "Hole In One" at the age of 78! In later years his regular golf games and camaraderie with his golf group, "The Panthers" were the highlight of his week, and he continued to play until a month before his death.
Jack had many interests, he and Rayna traveled extensively in the US and worldwide. He enjoyed music (eclectic taste) and attended classical, jazz, country and musical theatre performances locally in Boston, and on trips, and spent time every summer at Tanglewood in the Berkshires. He and Rayna were also avid theatre, museum and movie goers, and were appreciative art exhibition attendees. Both Jack and Rayna shared a sharp wit and good sense of humor, and they made each other laugh throughout their life together.
The family extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Theo Meyer, the cardio team, Maggie Cabral, the nurses and staff of the 3rd floor stepdown unit at UMass Memorial University Campus, and Dr. Eric Alper and the medical team on the 6th floor. The family would also like to express their grateful thanks to the staff of the hospice program and the 4th floor of the Jewish Healthcare Center - their dedicated and compassionate care provided comfort and peace in Jack's final days.
Cremation services are private under the direction of Rick Mansfield, Miles Funeral Home 1158 Main Street, Holden. A memorial reception will be held at Tatnuck Country Club at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Nativity School of Worcester, https://nativityworcester.org/help/donate/ , online to the Jewish Healthcare Center, https://www.jhccenter.org/make-a-donation/memorial-contributions/ , by mail to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation c/o John F. & Rayna Keenan Fund, One Mercantile Street, Suite 010, Worcester, MA 01608, by mail to the UMass Chan Medical School Foundation - Keenan/Gersh Fund, UMass Chan Medical School, Office of Advancement, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, or a charity of one's choice.
To share a memory or offer an online condolence please visit his Tribute Wall on this page.
WORCESTER - John F. "Jack" Keenan, 92, of Worcester, Massachusetts died peacefully on Sunday, June 30th, 2024. He leaves his beloved wife of 41 years, Rayna Keenan; 4 children, Carol A. O'Brien and her husband, Stephen, of Holden; Janet M. Keenan of Worcester; John F. Keenan, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Northampton; and Mary Ellen Keenan of Boston; two stepchildren, Lisa J. Bader and her husband, David, of Wakefield, Rhode Island; and Andrew Heilpern and his wife, Carol, of Waltham; seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and his brother, James G. Keenan. His sister Cecilia A. Gallagher, died in 1968. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Bernard Gersh, his sister-in-law, Ann Gersh, and their children; and his nephew Charles Gallagher and niece Cathy Maxson of Colorado.
Jack was born in Queens, New York City, to George F. and Cecilia A (Schmidt) Keenan. He graduated from St. John's Prep in Brooklyn in 1950 and was selected to the Hearst newspaper all-city basketball team. He played varsity baseball, basketball and football at St. John's and was a member of two New York City baseball champion teams and one basketball championship team.
He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1954 and was a member of the 1952 team which won the NCAA National Baseball Championship.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and was discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.
He graduated from the evening division of Boston College Law School in 1960 and was admitted to the bar that year. He then attended the graduate law program at Suffolk University Law School. During these years he worked as a salesman for Procter and Gamble Company and as a claims adjuster for Lumbermen's Mutual Casualty Company.
He entered the private practice of law in Worcester in 1961, first with the firm of Fisher, Keenan & Foley, then with the firm of Wolfson, Moynihan, Dodson & Keenan, and finally with the firm of Wolfson, Keenan, Cotton & Meagher, primarily engaged in trial practice.
He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers; a visiting instructor in trial practice at Harvard Law School; a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys; a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and former two term Vice President, Chairman of its Fee Arbitration Committee, member of its Board of Delegates, member of its Executive Committee together with other committees and task forces; a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and former Chairman of its Superior Court Committee, its Executive Committee, and other committees; a former member of the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts on the Rules of Evidence and the Standing Advisory Committee to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts on the rules of Civil Procedure; named in the publication "The Best Lawyers in America" since 1987; selected as a member of "New England Super Lawyers" and "Massachusetts Super Lawyers"; and was a frequent lecturer at Continuing Legal Education seminars. In 1985, he was named National Trial Lawyer of the Year by Trial Lawyers for Public Justice.
Jack was a "Lion of the Law" and a "Master of his Craft." He enjoyed all aspects of his practice, but especially loved being in a courtroom and did not retire until he was in his mid-80's.
He was a "Rock and Pillar" for his family for whom he cared deeply. He was always readily available to listen, counsel, problem solve and help, and loved the time spent with his children, grandchildren, and family members at frequent family gatherings.
Jack was a talented athlete who played sports throughout his life. However, when he became a member of Tatnuck Country Club 30+ years ago, golf became his passion! He was very proud of the "Hole In One" he scored during the TCC 1996 Invitational, and another "Hole In One" at the age of 78! In later years his regular golf games and camaraderie with his golf group, "The Panthers" were the highlight of his week, and he continued to play until a month before his death.
Jack had many interests, he and Rayna traveled extensively in the US and worldwide. He enjoyed music (eclectic taste) and attended classical, jazz, country and musical theatre performances locally in Boston, and on trips, and spent time every summer at Tanglewood in the Berkshires. He and Rayna were also avid theatre, museum and movie goers, and were appreciative art exhibition attendees. Both Jack and Rayna shared a sharp wit and good sense of humor, and they made each other laugh throughout their life together.
The family extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Theo Meyer, the cardio team, Maggie Cabral, the nurses and staff of the 3rd floor stepdown unit at UMass Memorial University Campus, and Dr. Eric Alper and the medical team on the 6th floor. The family would also like to express their grateful thanks to the staff of the hospice program and the 4th floor of the Jewish Healthcare Center - their dedicated and compassionate care provided comfort and peace in Jack's final days.
Cremation services are private under the direction of Rick Mansfield, Miles Funeral Home 1158 Main Street, Holden. A memorial reception will be held at Tatnuck Country Club at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Nativity School of Worcester, https://nativityworcester.org/help/donate/ , online to the Jewish Healthcare Center, https://www.jhccenter.org/make-a-donation/memorial-contributions/ , by mail to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation c/o John F. & Rayna Keenan Fund, One Mercantile Street, Suite 010, Worcester, MA 01608, by mail to the UMass Chan Medical School Foundation - Keenan/Gersh Fund, UMass Chan Medical School, Office of Advancement, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, or a charity of one's choice.
To share a memory or offer an online condolence please visit his Tribute Wall on this page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John F. "Jack" Keenan, please visit our flower store.
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