John O'Keefe

OXFORD - John R. "Jack" O'Keefe, 78, of Waite Street, died Monday, January 12, 2015, at Lanessa Extended Care in Webster. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce M. (Dion) O'Keefe of Oxford; two children, Patty A. O'Keefe of Webster and Scott R. O'Keefe and his wife Karen of Oxford; a brother, Peter O'Keefe of Florida; a sister, Judy Francis of Florida; four grandchildren, Jason Donais, Jadreinne Sanderson and her husband Ryan, Jordan Donais, and Ashley O'Keefe; two great grandchildren, Zia Donais and Jeorgia Sanderson; and many, many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a sister, Jean Chiveney. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late John P. and Elizabeth (Ronayne) O'Keefe, and lived in Worcester before moving to Oxford in 1957. Jack attended South High School in Worcester. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving aboard the U.S.S. Dashiell. Mr. O'Keefe owned and operated Community Fire and Police Equipment in Webster and Oxford for 29 years, retiring in 1999. After retiring, he enjoyed spending time at the store working with his family. Previously, he worked at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Jack was a former member of the Oxford Police Department, the Oxford Fire Department, and the Webster Fire Department. He was director of the Civil Defense and was a former treasurer for the Salvation Army. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 5663 and the American Legion Post 58, both in Oxford. He was a member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford, and was a former member and alter server at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Worcester. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main Street, Oxford. Please meet directly at the church. Calling hours are Monday, January 19, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472, or to Lanessa Extended Care, 751 School St., Webster, MA 01570.