Francis J. Keefe, 85, of Londonderry, NH died peacefully on December 19, 2011 at Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry after a long illness. He was born on May 29, 1926 in Lawrence, MA to Jeremiah and Alice (Chabot) Keefe. He was a resident of Windham for 30 years before moving to Londonderry in 1979. Frank attended Lawrence schools, but felt that serving his country during WWII was more important than graduating from high school. He joined the US Navy at the age of 17 and served as a Gunner’s Mate in the Armed Guard from 1943 to 1946. One of the proudest days in his life, thanks to the efforts of a very good friend, was receiving his high school diploma at the age of 83 during a very special and moving ceremony at Lawrence High School.
Frank’s career in the public sector began in 1958, when he was hired by the Town of Windham to serve as part-time Building Inspector. In 1964, he was appointed to the position of Fire Chief and served in both capacities until 1978. Along with these positions, he was also Health Officer, Forest Fire Warden, Disposal Site Supervisor, and Assessor. He also served as Clerk of the Works for Golden Brook School, Middle School, and Center School additions. He was known as a “man with many hats”.
After serving the towns of Wolfboro, Londonderry, and Hooksett as Code Enforcement Officer, and other private sector jobs, Frank was again hired by the Town of Windham in 1986 to serve as their Code Enforcement Officer. He finally retired in 1996, but continued work as a building consultant in the private sector and for the Windham/Pelham School District; the latter of which included acting as Clerk of the Works for a new elementary school in Pelham.
During his 30-year tenure with the Town of Windham, Frank was credited with several firsts for its residents. Under his command as Chief, the Fire Department became manned full-time in 1964, and ambulance service was provided beginning the early 1970s. Frank was also trained and certified as an EMT instructor for the local area departments. The Department also had a color guard and championship muster team, of which Frank was exceedingly proud.
Frank was responsible for organizing Windham’s first Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, and was instrumental in drafting the Town’s first planning and zoning regulations. He also wrote road specifications for new subdivisions, and his health regulations received commendations from the State of NH. In addition, he was responsible for developing regulations for the Town Beach, and had a small lab in the Town Hall for testing samples from the Town water bodies.
In 1975, Windham’s trash disposal was transferred from an open-burning site to an incinerator on Marblehead Road, making it the first of its kind in the area. In 1990, Frank took the initiative to develop the present Transfer and Recycling Center on Ledge Road.
Frank received many commendations and awards from not only the towns he served, but the State of NH, as well. He accepted each with humility; always pausing to give credit to those who had assisted him in each endeavor.
Frank was a charter member of American Legion Post 109, and received his 60-year membership award in 2010. He was also a retired member of the NH Firefighter’s Association, and was cited as Employee of the Year in 1993 by the Town of Windham.
In his later years, Frank remained active by working as groundskeeper for Applewood Golf Links in Windham until the onset of his illness. He also enjoyed gardening and yard work at home, as well as woodworking, jigsaw and Search-A-Word puzzles, historical/military books and TV programs, patriotic music, family gatherings, and casino gambling.
He is survived by his wife Elaine (Zins/Haegle) Keefe; stepchildren Pamela Haegle and fiancé Joseph Panto of Londonderry, Patricia Antoon and husband Michael of Methuen, Glenn Haegle of Derry, Gary Haegle of Windham, and Wendi Devlin of Windham; step-grandchildren Erika and husband Kevin, Kristen, Justin, Glenn, Bryan, Chelsea, Jaymi, and Cheyann; step great-grandchildren Rylie, Broden, and Kellen; foster grandchildren Gennifer and Frankie; foster great-granddaughter Alyxis; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Bernard Keefe, his sister Alice Scott, and his first wife Dolores (Bedard) Keefe.
Calling hours were held Thursday December 22, 2011 from 4-7pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A funeral service followed in the funeral home at 7pm. A graveside service with honors was held Friday at 2:00pm in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery,110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011