OLD TOWN and OTIS – Robert E. O’Keefe Sr., 89, passed away unexpectedly March 5, 2009, at his home. He was born July 9, 1919, the son of Wilfred C. and Charlotte Isabella (Dempsey) O’Keefe. Robert was educated in Old Town schools. He continued his education at the University of Maine in mechanical engineering until being drafted into the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served as a captain in the Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery in the canal zone in Panama. Robert took over his father’s business as the CEO of Old Town Fuel and Building Supply Co. After 31 years of running the business, he retired in 1977 by passing the family business to his son. Robert was a member and held many positions in different organizations throughout his life, these included past member and board of directors of the YMCA, Old Town; past member of Old Town/Orono Kiwanis; 50-year member of Star in the East Lodge No. 60 AF & AM Masonic Lodge, Old Town; a member of Anah Temple Shrine, Bangor; past treasurer of Old Town Little League, past treasurer of the Old Town Chamber of Commerce, a proud member of Old Town United Methodist Church and he was the past chairman of the board of appraisal for Beech Hill. Robert loved the outdoors, fishing, snowmobiling and hunting with his golden retrievers. Throughout the years, he enjoyed building various camps at Boyd Lake, Beech Hill and Mount Katahdin. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty Jo (Carmean) O’Keefe; his four children, Robert E. O’Keefe Jr. and his wife, Fran, Patricia L. Hatch, Roderick H. O’Keefe and wife, Cynthia, and Nancy L. Morrison and her husband, Royce; his eight grandchildren, Kellie Ketchen and husband, Brian, Edward Hatch and his wife, Valerie, Robert Hatch and his wife, Amber, Shana Curtis and husband, Josh, Sarah J. Johnson and husband, Marc, Tyson R. O’Keefe, Amy Fletcher and husband, Brent, and Eric Morrison and wife, Jenn Healy; his 10 great-grandchildren, Victoria, Nicholas, Isabelle, Evelyn, Madisson, Bailey, Ellie, Gabriel, Shayne and Tiannah; and by his sister, Charlotte Stone. Robert is also survived by his faithful companion, Reb 5. Robert was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Wilfred O’Keefe Jr. Family and friends may call 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, at United Methodist Church, 744 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, with the Rev. Joan Desanctis officiating. After the service, friends and family are invited to gather to share memories and stories at the church’s fellowship hall. For those who would like to remember Robert in a special way, gifts may be made in his honor to Old Town Methodist Church, Old Town YMCA, 472 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, ME 04468 or Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 808, Hudson, MA 01749.
ROBERT EDWARD O’KEEFE
