READING, MA: Joseph William Keefe, 95, died November 7, 2015 surrounded by his family in Reading, MA. Mr. Keefe was born December 18, 1919 in Westfield, MA, the son of the late William and Mary (McMahon) Keefe.
Joseph, a graduate of Westfield High School, attended St. Anselm’s College and received a B.Sc. from Arnold College. He served with the 45th Division during WWII in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.
After several years in Connecticut, he returned to Westfield with his growing family to serve as Probation Officer in the Westfield District Court for more than 20 years. For 16 years, he coached both basketball and baseball at St Mary’s High School leading his team to prominence in the Valley League. Mr. Keefe also served two terms on the Westfield School Committee.
An outstanding athlete in his youth, he continued to excel in sports until his late eighties. Many will recall his excellence as a golfer, particularly at Shaker Farms Country Club.
In 1983 he and his wife, Georgia, retired to New Smyrna Beach, FL, but recently returned to Massachusetts to be closer to family.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Georgia of Reading, MA; 3 sons, Kevin J Keefe and his wife Cindy of Manchester, NH, William G Keefe and his wife Joanne Krawczyk of Westfield, MA, and Joseph M Keefe and his wife Sharon of North Attleboro, MA; 2 daughters, Constance K Breen and her husband David, and Kathleen K Halbach and her husband Eric, both of North Andover, MA.; 11 grandchildren, Meghan Keefe, Karen McCarthy, Matthew Keefe, Kathryn Breen, David Breen and his wife Kimberly, Michael Halbach, Mark Halbach and his wife Colleen, Christopher Halbach, Ryan Keefe, Mary Keefe, and Julia Keefe; and 3 great grandchildren, Alexis McCarthy, Emily Halbach, and Wesley Halbach.
Joe was predeceased by his grandson Alex Krawczyk Keefe.
His funeral will take place Thursday November 12, 2015 at 9:30 am from the Robert E Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main St (Rt 20), with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St Mary’s Church, Bartlett St. Burial will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery, all in Westfield. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alex Krawczyk Keefe Memorial Scholarship, 92 Cranberry Rd, North Attleboro, MA 02760 or to the St Mary’s High School Athletic Fund, 27 Bartlett St, Westfield, MA 01085
