PLACITAS, N.M., and BUCKSPORT – John Lawrence O’Keefe, 65, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, in Albuquerque, N.M. John was raised in Lone Pine, Calif., to where his ashes have been returned. John will be remembered for many wonderful qualities; his intelligence, compassion, and outlandish wit, his thought-provoking ideas, passion for tango, love of France and questionable wine, plus his prowess as a badminton player and his devotion to nature and hiking. Finally, John will be remembered for his immense skills as an artist and architect in Chicago, Maine and New Mexico. Friends in Maine will remember Earthworks, Main Street, Bucksport, where John, his wife, Annie, and his partner in architecture, David Wilson, spearheaded a center for art, architecture, photography and philosophy throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. His design skills were recognized in a 1975 Maine design competition when Earthworks earned two of the five awards. He is survived by his son and wife, Anders and Erin O’Keefe, and their children, Annie and Kaden, of Erie, Colo.; his sister, Kathy Potter of San Jose, Calif., along with her two children, Christopher and Steven, of Pittsburgh; by his former wife and beloved friend, Joanna DeKeyser of Albuquerque, N.M.; by his devoted friends, Dick, formerly of Orland, and Jill DesJardins of Sandia Park, N.M.; and by the many friends he had made throughout the years in Maine, New Mexico and elsewhere. John was predeceased by his wife, Anne Elzas O’Keefe, in 1991. Those who would like to share memories of John may do so 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Rufus Googins Park, on the waterfront in Bucksport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, P.O. Box 92814, Albuquerque, NM 87199. John, you will not be forgotten by your family and many friends who have had the honor and challenge of knowing and loving you.
JOHN LAWRENCE O’KEEFE
