Obituary of Peter O'Keeffe

Peter Thomas O’Keeffe, a retired Director of Office Telecommunications & Systems, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday morning, September 15, 2016. He was 83 years old. Peter was born in Boston, the son of the late Ada and John O’Keeffe. He grew up in Cambridge and was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge Technical High School. He then served as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force for 4 years during the Korean War. Peter was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He served on the Third Airways and Command Squadron and served 2 years of his service overseas. Peter was discharged in 1956 and eventually went to work and retire from Defense Contract Management District Northeast. After his retirement, he consulted with MITRE Corporation and Town of Burlington. In his later years to keep busy he worked part time at the Burlington Council on Aging. Peter met his future wife, Joanne Vahey, through a friend. The dated for 2 years and were married in 1958. They settled in Burlington in 1961 and started a family. He took great pride in his home and seemed to always have a home improvement project being planned or underway. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and participated in their minstrel shows and socials. Peter and his wife, Joanne, were wonderful dance partners and tore up the dance floor with doing their jitterbug and swing moves. They also loved vacationing along the ocean, with Kennebunkport being of their favorite vacation destination. Peter liked old movies and television shows. He enjoyed keeping up with technology. He was a huge Boston sports fan. Bobby Orr was his favorite athlete of all times. Peter’s family knew better than to interrupt him during a football or baseball game, but especially during a Bruins hockey game. Peter also had a strong Catholic Faith. He was an active member of St. Margaret’s Church He was a man devoted to his family. He shared 58 years of marriage with his wife Joanne. They had a mutual respect and admiration for each other, enjoyed sharing interests and activities together, and had an unceasing love and devotion for each other. Peter was a proud father and was an excellent role model, mentor, and advocate for “His Girls”. In his later years, he relished in being “Mampy” to his 3 grandchildren. His family gave him so much joy and comfort during his lifetime. Peter was the beloved husband of Joanne M. (Vahey). He was the loving father of Kim McCarthy & her husband Kevin of Tyngsboro and Kristin Block & her husband Glenn of Merrimack, NH. Brother of Constance “Sis” Bzibziak of North Falmouth, John “Jack” O’Keeffe, Jr. & his wife Angie of Burlington and Carol Barker & her husband James of Somerville. Proud grandfather of Kaitlin McCarthy of Essex Junction, VT and Christopher & Abigail Block of Merrimack, NH. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorials in Peter’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO BOX 343, Burlington, MA 01803