John "Jack" Keeney died peacefully at home on August 9, 2009 after a courageous eight-year battle with Alzheimer's.
He was born in West Haven July 12, 1933 to his parents Marion (Heery) Keeney and Edward Keeney. Upon graduation from high school he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and retired twenty years later as Chief Hospital Corpsman. He served on Diesel Subs, the Destroyer U.S.S. Mullinnix and two tours in Vietnam.
After the Navy he worked in Corrections for the State of Connecticut, Cottrell Lumber Company of Mystic and was an award-winning volunteer for many years at The Mystic Seaport. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
Besides Elizabeth (Betsy), his beloved wife of fifty-one years he is survived by his son Kevin Keeney and wife Susan, daughter Mary Beth Mills and husband William, grandson Andrew Mills, granddaughter Lindsey Mills, sister Marian Ashman and brother Robert Keeney.
His brother Edward Keeney and sisters Barbara Serphillips and Eileen Steinke predeceased him.
His family would like to thank the Groton Senior Center and Shoreline Day Care for their kindness through the years and to all the people who listened to his "European" joke-Thank you.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton on Friday, August 21st at 10am. His family will gather privately for his burial at sea.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter, 279 New Britain Road, Kensington CT 06037.
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