Obituary of Gerald J Keegan

Gerald Joseph Keegan, 90, of Little Falls, died November 5, 2015. Gerald was born in “Little Dublin” on Grand Street in Paterson, on October 23, 1925. As a child he attended St. John’s catholic school. He joined the US Navy at 18 years old and was assigned to the USS Benjamin Franklin, (“Big Ben”), which was bombed in WWII by kamikaze pilots and survived one of the worst attacks of WWII. The attack was so severe, lasting three full days, that the ship was later dubbed “The Ship that Wouldn’t Die” because the brave and battered crew brought her all the way home still afloat. After his honorable discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Annie Owens and they resided in the Stoney Road Section of Paterson. Together they had two children, Hon. Gerald Sean Keegan, JMC and Colleen Keegan Kingeter. Gerald was a proud member of the Paterson Police Department, retiring as a Captain. He simultaneously was the owner of a successful construction company, K&O Construction; working two full time jobs for over 25 years. Working with wood remained his hobby for the rest of his life. Gerald is survived by his beloved sister, Constance Napodano and her husband, John Napodano; his children Gerald Sean Keegan and Colleen Keegan Kingeter; his grandchildren, Keegan Avino and her husband, Bryan Avino and Thomas Kingeter, Jr. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Ann Owens Keegan and his favorite son-in-law, Thomas E. Kingeter. A memorial funeral Mass will be held at St. Gerard’s Majello RC Church, 501 West Broadway, Paterson, NJ on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 12:30pm. Online obituary at www.santangelofuneral.com.