Obituary for James C. Keefe Jr.
COHOES James C. Keefe, Jr., 75, of Wilmer Ave. died peacefully Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Cohoes, he was the son of the late Clinton and Marie Benedict Keefe and step son of James C. Keefe, Sr. He graduated from Keveny Memorial Academy in 1964 and enlisted in the US Army. He served honorably during the Vietnam War receiving the Vietnam campaign and service medals, commendation and national defense medals as well as the Army sharpshooter badge.
Returning home from the military, Jim worked for AT&T’s Western Electric until 1975. He then joined the Cohoes Fire Dept. where he served as a firefighter and ambulance attendant for both the Cohoes FD Ambulance and Troy Ambulance servicing the Cohoes area. Through his actions the Cohoes firefighters were brought into the International Assoc. of Firefighters Union, Local 2562.
After 7 years of service for Cohoes, Jim left to work at the Watervliet Arsenal, first as a machine apprentice, then as an electronic installer and supervisor of installation / maintenance for communications under Information System Command for the Watervliet Arsenal. In 2006, he retired after 25 years of government service.
Jim was a skilled craftsman who always enjoyed building things. He was also a big animal lover.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy Bechard Keefe; by his beloved children, James J. Keefe (Julie) of Georgia and Tracy “Dolly” Willi of Cohoes; by his adored grandchildren, Alex, Spencer, Jason and Katie Keefe, Jacob “Pal” Willi and Alyssa “Sweetie” Willi. He is also survived by his nephews, Aaron (Sarah) Teeter and Travis (Kristen) Teeter. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Marie Bechard as well as his sister-in-law, Linda Bechard Teeter.
Jim’s family would especially like to thank Amanda and Isaiah at Samaritan Hospital for their exceptional care.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Interment will follow with military honors in Memory Gardens, Colonie.
Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home Friday from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204
Born in Cohoes, he was the son of the late Clinton and Marie Benedict Keefe and step son of James C. Keefe, Sr. He graduated from Keveny Memorial Academy in 1964 and enlisted in the US Army. He served honorably during the Vietnam War receiving the Vietnam campaign and service medals, commendation and national defense medals as well as the Army sharpshooter badge.
Returning home from the military, Jim worked for AT&T’s Western Electric until 1975. He then joined the Cohoes Fire Dept. where he served as a firefighter and ambulance attendant for both the Cohoes FD Ambulance and Troy Ambulance servicing the Cohoes area. Through his actions the Cohoes firefighters were brought into the International Assoc. of Firefighters Union, Local 2562.
After 7 years of service for Cohoes, Jim left to work at the Watervliet Arsenal, first as a machine apprentice, then as an electronic installer and supervisor of installation / maintenance for communications under Information System Command for the Watervliet Arsenal. In 2006, he retired after 25 years of government service.
Jim was a skilled craftsman who always enjoyed building things. He was also a big animal lover.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy Bechard Keefe; by his beloved children, James J. Keefe (Julie) of Georgia and Tracy “Dolly” Willi of Cohoes; by his adored grandchildren, Alex, Spencer, Jason and Katie Keefe, Jacob “Pal” Willi and Alyssa “Sweetie” Willi. He is also survived by his nephews, Aaron (Sarah) Teeter and Travis (Kristen) Teeter. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Marie Bechard as well as his sister-in-law, Linda Bechard Teeter.
Jim’s family would especially like to thank Amanda and Isaiah at Samaritan Hospital for their exceptional care.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Interment will follow with military honors in Memory Gardens, Colonie.
Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home Friday from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204