I thought I would share this with everybody who visits the Forums, you can't have read the Forums and not known Bob McKeon or Bob M as he goes by in the Forums..
NORTH ATTLEBORO - James Joseph McKeon, 94, of Woodchip Square, North Attleboro, died on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Sturdy Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Gertrude "Trudy" M. (Stone) McKeon to whom he was married on March 13, 1981, and was the husband of the late Yvonne (Babineau) McKeon.
Born in Lisburn, County Antrim, Ireland, on Feb. 2, 1917, he was a son of the late William James and Jane (Thompson) McKeon. Upon immigrating to the United States with his parents and sister at the age of 3, he settled in North Attleboro with his family. He remained a proud "townie" for more than 90 years.
Mr. McKeon was a 1935 graduate of North Attleboro High School.
Living in Attleboro Falls in his youth, he often recounted stories of his early years with great fondness and detail.
Following high school, Mr. McKeon worked for the Town of North Attleboro prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving with the Seabees in the Philippine Islands from July 30, 1943, until his honorable discharge in December 1945.
Upon his return from World War II, Mr. McKeon was employed by the former Walsh & Babineau Construction Co. While in the construction business years ago, Mr. McKeon donated much of time off as a bulldozer operator during the construction of the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Attleboro.
In 1954, he returned to work for the Town of North Attleboro as the superintendent of streets and served in that capacity for decades until his retirement in December 1978.
He was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in North Attleboro.
Proud of his military service, he was a member and former vice commander of the former AmVets Post in North Attleboro.
He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus #303, North Attleboro.
Mr. McKeon loved North Attleboro and enjoyed reminiscing of years past and the changes he observed during nine decades.
Traveling, especially cruises, and dining out were among his favorite pastimes and he was an ardent sports fan with a special love for the Boston Red Sox and was an original season ticket holder of the then Boston Patriots.
In addition to his wife of 30 years, he leaves a son, Robert J. McKeon and his wife, Lorna M. (Myers) McKeon, of North Attleboro; a daughter, Sandra A. Gorman and her husband, Phillip Gorman, of Bradenton, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Brenda Grahn and her husband, William Grahn, of South Attleboro; four grandchildren, Kevin J. McKeon and his wife, Shannon (Carroll) McKeon, of North Attleboro; Stephanie Gorman of Scottsdale, Ariz., Sean R. McKeon and his wife, Michelle (Vandette) McKeon, of North Attleboro and Jeffrey Provost and his wife, Kristen (Fisher) Provost, of Marlboro; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Martha Henault of Attleboro, and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
He was the brother of the late William McKeon and Kathleen Poirier.
Private visitation with veteran's honors will be held in the "memorial chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Col. Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., (exit 5 off I-95 north or south, go right at end of ramp, 3/4 mile on left,) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
A private funeral service with veteran's honors will be held in the "memorial chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, the national historic Col. Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., (exit 5 off I-95 north or south, go right at end of ramp, 3/4 mile on left,) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Private burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. McKeon's name may be made to the North Attleboro Animal Shelter, 43 South Washington St., North Attleboro, MA 02760.
For additional information or to send to family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book located on the Internet at
www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.Arrangements are entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. 508-695-0200.
