Joseph A. Killeen, Esq.
...Tewksbury Attorney
TEWKSBURY - Joseph A. Killeen, Esq., 85, well known throughout the greater Lowellcommunity, died Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in North Billerica. He was the husband of Rachel E. (Knight) Killeen, R.N., who died in 1981.
He was born in Lowell, June 13, 1917, a son of the late John P. and Anne (Fenton) Killeen. Hewas raised in Lowell, and graduated from the Immaculate Conception School and Keith Academyin 1934. During the Depression on the 1930's he was a member of the Civilian ConservationCorps, and worked in the White Mountains of N.H. helping construct what would become theWhite Mountain National Forest.
He entered into the Navy During WWII, and was discharged at the rank of Chief Perry Officer,after serving as a personnel specialist in Norfolk, Virginia.
In his earlier years, he worked at the Lowell Sun, as reporter, night city editor, county editor, andTewksbury correspondent. He also worked for the Lowell Sun Charities as the timekeeper forthe Annual Golden Gloves boxing events. After leaving the Sun, he became the Head Instructorat the former Middlesex County Training School in North Chelmsford. While maintaining hisposition at the training school, he attended evening classes at the New England School of Law. He was awarded his juris doctor degree in 1970, and was later admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. He maintained his law practice in Tewksbury for more than 20 years.
He served the Town of Tewksbury as Chairman of the Board of Registrars of Voters andTewksbury Industrial Commission.
Mr. Killeen was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lowell, and later St.William’s Parish in Tewksbury.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruthanne K. and her husband Richard P. Bergerof VA, Patricia R. and her husband Leonard J. McDonnell of Chelmsford, a son and twodaughters-in-law, Atty. Paul Killeen and his wife Kathy (Dangle) Killeen of Needham, and SherriBerthrong of VA, nine grandchildren, William Berger of VA, Stephen Berger of TX, KarinKuropas of VA, Christopher McDonnell of CO, Mark McDonnell of Chelmsford, Rachel Killeenand Peter Killeen of Needham, Michael Killeen and Kerry Killeen of VA, seven greatgrandchildren, Markian, Alexander, Gabrielle, Cameron, Kristine, Jeremy and Michael.
He was also father of the late Atty. Joseph M. Killeen, and brother of the late Anna Killeen.
His Funeral Mass was held Friday, Dec. 20, in the Immaculate Conception Church, East Merrimack Street, Lowell. Interment was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Lowell.
Memorials to the Respects Companion Care Program, c/o Chelmsford SeniorCenter, 75 Groton Rd. N. Chelmsford, MA 01863 will be appreciated.