Joseph McKeon, Sr. Obituary (1926 - 2015)

Mr. Joseph J. McKeon Sr., 88, of Portland, died January 3, 2015 at Mercy Hospital. Born in Portland on December 15, 1926, Joseph was the son of the late Bernard and Isabella (Leonard) McKeon. He married the love of his life Carmella M. Mariello on October 6, 1951 at St. Marys Church in Biddeford. She predeceased him on January 26, 1998. In 1944 at the age of 17 Joseph enlisted and served his country in the United States Navy as a Seaman Second Class during WWII. He served on the USS Saint Paul (CA-73) as a member of an anti-aircraft gun crew and was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese formally surrendered. He was honorably discharged as a Disabled Veteran in 1946. Mr. McKeon was a proud Portland Fire Fighter for 24 years, retiring in 1974. He began his service with the Fire Dept. in November of 1950 as a Temporary Fire Fighter. After proving himself as a valuable part of the Fire Dept., Joseph became a Provisional Fire Fighter in March of 1952 before he was made a Permanent Fire Fighter on January 15, 1954. Joseph served on several engines during his career with the Fire Dept., including Engine 6 and Engine 8. In addition to serving the City, Joseph was also employed with the former Hay and Peabody Funeral Home for many years where he served in several capacities. Having a genuine desire to work with people, he was employed with Shaws Supermarket in Falmouth for many years prior to leaving just before his 81st birthday. Joseph was very proud of his Irish Heritage and he enjoyed US History, Poetry, and watching sports. He was a member of the American Legion - Harold T. Andrews Post No. 17, VFW Deering Memorial Post 6859, USS Saint Paul Association, and he was a long time Communicant of St. Pius X Church Our Lady of Hope Parish where he served as an usher. In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was predeceased by his siblings, Ella McKeon, Anna Tanous, Agnes Valeriani, Paul McKeon, Mary Limauro, Thomas McKeon and Theresa Manette. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen McGovern and husband Michael of Portland, Patricia Wyman and husband Thomas of Windham; sons, Joseph McKeon, Jr. of Portland, James McKeon and wife Terry of Woburn, MA, and John McKeon of Brunswick. He is also survived by a brother, Edward McKeon of Hamden; grandchildren, Elizabeth McGovern and husband Ian McBee, Amy Downs and husband Richard, Theresa Hoyt and husband Alan, Michael McGovern, Patrick McKeon and Michael McKeon; great-grandchildren, Cassidy McBee, Lila Downs, Rosalie McBee, and Jack Hoyt; numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, January 8, from 3-7PM in the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 9 at 9:15AM followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Burial with Military Honors to follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To share an online condolence or memory with the family, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, PO Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112.