Robert A. O’Keefe
November 17, 1926 – February 14, 2012
Robert A. O’Keefe, 85 a resident of Westport and beloved husband of over 58 years of Maura Ann (Callaghan) O’Keefe died on February 14, 2012 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Mr. O’Keefe was born in Woonsocket, RI on November 17, 1926, son of the late Arthur and Lucy (White) O’Keefe and resided in Westport for over 40 years.
He was a graduate of Albert Leonard High School in New Rochelle, NY, Class of 1944. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Force V5 program and attended St. Lawrence University and Williams College. Bob spent two years in the Pacific during WWII. He was employed by the Burndy Corp. for over 35 years in the customer service, engineering and sales departments, during which time he was awarded several patents. Bob was promoted to Manager of Electrical Distributors and after several years was named Director of Sales. He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, an Eagle Scout, a member of St. Luke Church in Westport, the Gaelic American Club and New Horizon Club.
In addition to this wife, Mr. O’Keefe is survived by three sons and one daughter: Robert M. O’Keefe of Ipswich, MA, Thomas S. O’Keefe and his wife, Patricia of Boston, Kevin P. O’Keefe and his wife, Courtney of Easton and Lori Huber and her husband, John. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Sean, Catie, Kyle and Kaylee O’Keefe. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy DelVecchio.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. directly at St. Luke Church in Westport. Interment will be private. Per Mr. O’Keefe’s request, calling hours have been omitted. Arrangements are under the direction of the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Rd. in Fairfield Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s death. My love to you all.
My thoughts are with you, Lori and family. The devotion and love you gave to your dad in his last weeks must have given him tremendous comfort.
Rest in Peace Mr. Bob.
Thanks for being a BIG supporter of all I did.
My prayers are with you Lori,John and family during these tough times.
Mr. Bob ,Thanks for being my friend…
I had the privelage of working with Bob at Burndy for many, many, many years. I will always remember him and thank him for the knowledge and friendship he shared with us. He will be missed.
My prayers are with Bob and is family. I have been at Burndy for 42 years and still going. Many of us “old timers” remember and speak about the relationship we had with Bob
To Maura and family, so sorry to hear of Bobs passing Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time
We are all very sad to hear about the passing of our wonderful uncle Bob. We have so many happy memories of him. He always made us so welcome when we visited, he will be really missed here in Ireland. Our thoughts are with you Maura, Tommy, Kevin, Bobby and Lori and family. Thinking of you all xxx Bernadette, Pat, Thomas, Irene, Sean, Laura and Paul
May God’s hand come upon Bob granting him Grace and Peace. His life was rich and rewarding and his memories will keep that going through his family.
God bless the O’Keefe’s.
All our love and prayers.
Kim and Matthew and Kaci
We wish to express our deepest sympathy for the entire O’Keefe family during this time.
I would just like to offer my condolences to Bob’s son Robert (College roommate) and to the rest of the family. ~ Mark Petraitis
This is the piece written by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918) Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral which helped me a few years ago when my brother passed away.
“Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me. Let my name be forever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effort, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is no broken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight. All is well”
My heartfeld condolences to the family of Bob. I worked for Burndy Corporation in 1984 as assistant to Warren Tenant and later to Thomas Pluff. Having had many opportunities to interact with Bob as Director of Sales, I remember him to be always a gentleman and to have a smile for everyone. I am a member of St. Luke Church in Westport and will remember him in my prayers and also his wife Maura.
My heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family. I worked for Burndy Corporation in 1983 as assistant to Warren Tenant and later for Thomas Pluff. Having had dealings with Bob as Director of Sales I remember he was always a gentleman and always had a smile for everyone. I am a member of St. Luke Church and will remember Bob in my prayers and also his wife, Maura.