Richard F. Keenan

Richard F. Keenan, 70, of Wakefield, died Monday at South County Hospital, with his two children by his side, after a long illness. He was the loving husband of Patricia A. (Doody) Keenan, who died last October. They were married 43 years. Originally from East Rockaway, NY, Mr. Keenan was the son of the late William V. Keenan and Gertrude (Jennings) Keenan. Richard and Patricia Keenan met on Long Island, NY, where they both grew up and started a family, before moving briefly to Wellsboro, PA, and then to Wakefield. Professionally, Mr. Keenan worked in human resources, including in industrial relations positions at large manufacturers, including General Instrument, Mergenthaler Linotype Company, and Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics. He also taught several business courses at Bryant University in Smithfield. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served overseas during the Vietnam era in Thailand. Mr. Keenan semi-retired several years ago but continued to consult Gem Plumbing, while also pursuing his lifelong passions of entrepreneurship, inventing things and tinkering in his workshop. He formed a company called Keen Products LLC, which marketed, sold and distributed his patented inventions, which are dust collection products designed to eliminate or reduce saw dust caused by portable table saws, miter saws and routers. Mr. Keenan was awarded two patents for his inventions, which were sold through Amazon, woodworking magazines and catalogs. Mr. Keenan and his wife lived in Wakefield for about 35 years. They raised two children, Kevin and Aileen on Kenyon Ave. He coached Little League, served as a board member at Monsignor Clarke School and was an active parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Church. He tremendously enjoyed living in South County, and spent many years exploring the area by bike, foot, car and boat. His happy place was relaxing with family on Narragansett Town Beach, listening to the Red Sox, sipping a Del’s Lemonade, while watching his five grandchildren take to the surf and sand. He also enjoyed golfing, dining and traveling with his wife, family and their many long-time friends in the area. He leaves two children, Kevin and his wife Andrea (Caprio) Keenan of Acton, MA and Aileen (Keenan) Baker and her husband Brian of Portsmouth; and five grandchildren, Hannah, Caitlyn and Jay of Acton, MA, and Lindsay and Sarah Baker of Portsmouth. He also leaves three brothers, William V. Keenan Jr., of Sumter, SC., Paul J. Keenan of East Syracuse, NY, and Raymond Keenan of Atlanta, G.A.; and two sisters, Mary Anne (Keenan) French of Denton, TX. and Elizabeth Keenan Hicks of Key Biscayne, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am Thursday in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. Burial will follow in St Francis Cemetery, Peace Dale. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Wednesday, 6-8 pm.