O’KEEFE, Raymond “Ray” (BPD Retired) of Roslindale, passed away peacefully at home in the comfort of his loving daughters on January 24, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Helen J. (Janczunski) O’Keefe. Devoted father of Patricia A. and Nancy L. O’Keefe both of Norwood and Susan M. O’Keefe of Roslindale. Dear brother of Patricia A. Gillis of Millis, Joseph A. “Fred” Cossette and Robert “Richie” Cossette both of Plainville. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Arthur and David Cossette. Ray is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Ray began his career with the Boston Police Department in 1956 as a Patrolman. Ray worked his way up in the department to become a Lieutenant Detective. He retired in 1995 as the liaison to the Boston Fire Department Arson Squad after 39 years of service.
Ray proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War Era. After serving his country, Ray returned home, and while raising his family and working as a Sergeant for the Boston Police Department he attended Suffolk University where he earned his Masters in Education.
Above all, Ray was a devoted family man to his 3 children and his late wife of 43 years. He loved meeting people, telling stories and was always there to help someone. If Ray was your friend, you had a friend for life.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, WEST ROXBURY on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Funeral from the funeral home on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John Chrysostom Church at 11 o’clock. (Face masks are required in both the funeral home and church.) Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to either Cops for Kids with Cancer, P.O Box 850956, Braintree, MA 02185 (copsforkidswithcancer.org) or Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care, 321 Manley Street, Bridgewater, MA 02379 or at oldcolonyhospice.org. For guestbook, please visit: gormleyfuneral.com