Edward J. Keelan, 84, of Dedham and Bal Harbour, FL died January 12, 2007 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham. He was the beloved husband of the late Marion G. (Irving) Keelan.
Ed was born on April 28, 1922. He attended Dedham High School where he was President of his class for all four years, graduating in 1940. He went on to attend the University Of Notre Dame, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He attended the Columbia University United States Navy Midshipman’s School in New York while in the United States Navy where he was assigned to the amphibious forces and to the USS Todd. Ed served in the Navy for three and half years as a line officer in several theaters of operation. He separated from the Navy in 1946 as a Lt. Junior Grade and shortly after separation was promoted to Lt. Senior Grade. After his naval career, Ed returned to his hometown of Dedham and served as a Selectman for four terms and Chairman of the Board for two terms in the late 40’s and early 1950’s.
Ed’s career in greyhound racing began in the summer of 1940 while waiting to attend Notre Dame, he worked in the summer of 1940 in maintenance, grounds keeping and parking at Wonderland Park in Revere. After college and the Navy, Ed came back to be involved with the Raynham Greyhound Track in Raynham for several years in many capacities as an officer, director, general manager and owner of the track. Ed sold his interest in Raynham in the summer of 1974 and went on to pursue the legalization of greyhound racing in New Hampshire and Connecticut. Ed was successful in convincing both of the states that greyhound racing would be a successful and profitable business venture. Thus began the inaugural year of 1975 at Seabrook Greyhound Park and the inaugural year of 1976 of Plainfield Greyhound Park. Ed was also in the ownership of several other racetracks, including New England Harness Raceway in Foxboro and the Audobon Raceway in Kentucky. Ed is currently one of the owners and Vice President of Rockingham Park in Salem, NH and has been since 1984.
Ed has been recognized many times by his peers in the greyhound industry. In 1970 Ed was elected to be President of the AGTOA for three years and was then three terms elected to be President of the World Greyhound Racing Federation in 1976. He holds a place in the National Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, KS. Ed was instrumental in forming the American Greyhound Council in the 1980’s and has always been at the forefront of the industry, making sure that greyhound welfare became the primary focus for the industry.
Ed has been individually responsible for many of the advances that have brought a respectable maturity to racing sports in America and increased the number of racing enthusiasts. He had a unique understanding and appreciation of the complexities of the racetrack operations. He worked successfully with the labor forces, business community, state governments and the racing public to achieve dynamic enterprises.
Ed Keelan was passionate about the sport of greyhound racing, about the welfare of the retired greyhound and making sure that it goes back to the owner or to an adoptive family and to make sure that somehow this sport survives.
Ed was co-owner of the Beachside Hotel in Nantucket. He was also a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 1 in Paris, France. He was a member of the Dedham American Legion Post 18 and the Dedham Historical Society. He was the oldest living Selectman in the town of Dedham and was Past Commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
He is survived by two daughters; Karen Keelan of Madison, CT and Kathryn Keelan Clapp and her husband Alan of Mansfield; His grandchildren Meghan, Stephen and Jessica Clapp. He was the brother of Donald Keelan of Marshfield, Robert Keelan of Port St. Lucie, FL, Patricia Wilcox of Lakewood, CA, Andrea McIsaac of Port St. Lucie, FL and the late Kent Keelan.
His funeral will be held from the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham, on Monday at 8:00 AM with a funeral mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham, at 9:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 PM. Interment will follow in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Edward’s memory to the Greyhound Adoption Program, c/o Greyhound Hall of Fame, 407 South Buckeye Rd., Abilene, KS 67410.