Sgt. Major, U.S. Army, Retired Joseph V. Keene, Sr., of Taunton, died Saturday, September 22 at his residence following a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Santos) Keene. He was born 79 years ago in Fall River, the son of the late John L. and Alma (Girard) Keene, Sr. He was educated in Taunton, having graduated from Taunton High School, and had been a city resident for the past 32 years. Prior to his retirement, he served as a Sergeant Major in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He was awarded the Armed Services Reserve Medal, the National Defense Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Service Medal, the Good conduct Medal, the M 16 Rifle Expert Award, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal. His service to his country spanned 35 years. He was a member of the Family Motorcoach Association and the Military Travle Association. He was an avid gardener. He was a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton.
In addition to his wife, he leaves: 2 sons: Joseph V. Keene, Jr. and his wife, Lori of No. Dighton, and Michael J. Keene and his fiancee, Julia Simo of Berkley; 1 brother: John L. Keene and his wife, Eleanor of Taunton; 1 sister: Mary-Alma Bernier and her husband, Edward of Elizabeth, N.J.; 3 grandchildren: Julie Sunderland, Steven Keene and Michaela Keene; 1 great grandson: Gavin Sunderland, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Wednesday, September 26 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in the Holy Rosary Church, 80 Bay Street, at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in the V.A. National Cemetery, Bourne. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Tuesday, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675.