Daniel Thomas Keogh, age 56, of 2 Appletree Lane, West Mystic, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on April 30, 2006.
Dan was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 21, 1950 to Thomas Keogh and Lucy Keogh.
When Dan was 5, the family moved to Groton where Dan attended local schools and graduated from St. Bernard’s High School. Dan held an Associate in science Degree in Fire Administration and Technology from Thames Valley Technical Collage and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with a Fire Department Management Major from Empire State Collage in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Survivors include his mom, his wife, Lori, his son Kevin, his daughter Megan, and grandson Aedan. He is also survived by brothers Thomas of Titusville, Florida, Joseph of Las Vegas, Nevada and sisters Mary Kelly of Port Charlotte, Florida and his sister Anne Marie Sailors of Groton. Dan is also survived by several sister-in-laws, brother in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father.
Dan began his lifelong love for the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Groton Fire Department. In 1975, he was hired as a career firefighter at the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department in Groton. In 1980, he was promoted to Lieutenant, which made him a shift commander. From 1992-1993, he served as Acting Chief of the Department, and in 1997, he became Chief of the Department, a position which he held until his retirement in 2001. At the time of his retirement, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District created the Daniel T. Keogh Distinguished Service Award of which Dan was the first recipient. This award has been, and will continue to be awarded to retiring firefighters who have distinguished themselves during their career with the department.
After retiring from Poquonnock Bridge, Dan became the Fire Prevention Officer for the Mashantucket Fire Department. He was responsible for overseeing fire safety systems and new construction for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. At the time of his death, he held the rank of Captain and the title of Fire Protection Systems Supervisor.
Dan was a Fire Instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy. He was instrumental in creating the first firefighter driver safety program for the State of Connecticut of which he was the Chief Instructor. He taught firefighter courses throughout the State of Connecticut.
He also was an Adjunct Faculty at Three Rivers Community Technical Collage, where he taught courses Fire Technology Courses.
Dan love of firefighting was only was second only to his love of his family. Whether he was working in his garden at home or on his boat making trips with his family to Napatree Point, Dan was very much the consummate family man. Dan was also an avid lobsterman. He spent numerous hours on his boat the Uncle Gus fishing the Thames River. He often brought his catch home and hosted many lobster fests at the family cottage on Lord’s Point.
To list the accomplishments and achievements of this great man would fill this entire page. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the fire service.
Dan's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic (2 blocks west of the Mystic Drawbridge) on Thursday from 4-7pm. Those attending are requested to enter through the funeral home's front entrance(as normal), but exit as directed through the rear of the home.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road in Groton on Friday at 10:30am with Fr. Brian Romanowski, Pastor of St. John's Church, Montville, officiating. A procession will then travel for committal services and burial at Elm Grove Cemetery, Rte. 27, Mystic. For traffic control purposes, it is requested that those wishing to attend the burial, travel in the procession as directed and NOT go ahead of the procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested the donations be made to the Eastern Connecticut Emerald Society, 1 Orchard Drive, Groton, Connecticut.
To send Lori and the family a message of remembrance/condolence, please click the link below.