Obituary of Joseph Cornelius Keohane

Joseph Cornelius Keohane, a devoted family man, community leader, and beloved youth coach, passed away on June 7, 2025, three days after celebrating his 97th birthday. Joe was born in the family home on Warren Street in Arlington, the only son and one of six children born to Irish immigrants Daniel and Ellen (Dwyer) Keohane. Growing up during the hardships of the Great Depression, Joe and his sisters developed an unbreakable bond. Times were tough, but his mother, Ellen, served as the heart and soul of the family—a strong role model who guided them through adversity with love and resilience. Joe attended Arlington High School, graduating with the Class of 1946. He played baseball and basketball, displaying the passion for sports that would define much of his life.

In 1950, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War as a sergeant with Company K, 279th Infantry Regiment. Joe was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal. At the age of 90, he was honored with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal. Though proud of his service, like many veterans, he rarely spoke about his experiences.

Upon returning home, Joe took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst (where he would meet his future wife, “the lovely Marilyn”), earning a degree in business. Older than most of his classmates, he fully embraced the opportunity and made the most of it. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and served as its president during his senior year. After graduating, Joe became a Certified Public Accountant and worked for Savings Bank Life Insurance for 30 years, climbing the corporate ladder to retire as the company’s Treasurer at the age of 60. Joe understood the value of hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and making the most of every opportunity. Even in retirement, he worked part-time at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home.

For over 63 years, Joe was a cornerstone of the Burlington community and a cherished youth sports coach. He coached Little League baseball with the Twins for 50 years—long enough to eventually coach children of former players. For many years he also coached girls’ softball and travel baseball. A familiar face at Simonds Park, he loved teaching young athletes to grow their abilities by learning from mistakes, understanding the game, and most importantly, loving to play. Over 50 years of coaching, Joe’s many accomplishments include 19 Baseball Championships, 5 Middlesex Softball League Championships, and being chosen as a 2010 recipient of the Fred Ebbett Award from the Massachusetts High School Baseball Coaches Association. In 2011, the town of Burlington honored him by naming the upper field at Simonds Park “Joe Keohane Field.”

Despite never having played the sport himself (or being much of a skater) Joe also coached youth hockey for many years. During his tenure, his Burlington hockey teams won Middlesex League and State titles with one finishing second at the Nationals. A great many Burlington High School Hall of Famers, including two Hobey Baker Award recipients, were coached by Joe in baseball, hockey, and softball. Joe not only helped his players be better sportsmen/women, but better people. He coached alongside his brother-in-law, Edward Sullivan, and many others, and will always be remembered as one of those special coaches who instilled a lifelong love of the game.

Beyond sports, Joe served as an usher at both St. Malachy’s and St. Margaret’s Churches and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Burlington. He could often be seen walking around town with his dog, Buddy. A member of both Mad Maggie’s Gym and then Planet Fitness well into his 90s, it was all part of his routine, staying active and connected (some might say he spent more time socializing over coffee than working out!) Joe golfed occasionally and might not have been the best, but was lucky enough to get a “Hole in One” at Pine Meadows in Lexington.

Joe was a devoted family man. He met the love of his life, Marilyn, while they both attended the University of Massachusetts. Marilyn was, in his words, “the best thing that ever happened to me.” They shared 68 beautiful years, building a large and loving family. Joe was proud of each of his children—not only for their accomplishments, but for the people they became. Through them, his spirit for sports, community, and family lives on. Joe was a role model for his children, lived by example, and was always humble. He took immense joy in welcoming each of his 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, attending whenever possible their games, school events, recitals, and whatever activities mattered to them. Nothing made him happier than seeing all his family gathered together. At family gatherings, what others might view as chaos, he saw as his greatest achievement and legacy.

Joe Keohane was a true fixture in Burlington, a proud member of the Greatest Generation who served his country, then came home to serve his community and family—always putting others first. He will be lovingly remembered and never forgotten.

Joe was the beloved husband of Marilyn (Gunn) Keohane. He was the proud father of Joseph D. Keohane & his wife, Bethany of Tyngsboro, Anne Murphy of Tewksbury, Ellen Keohane & her wife, Sara Smithson, of Cape Neddick ME, Daniel Keohane & his wife Linda of Princeton, Michael Keohane & his wife Kathleen of Shrewsbury, and Paul Keohane & his wife Holly of Oxford. He was the brother of Mary Fitzpatrick of Lynnfield, Ann Stanton of Arlington, the late Catherine Leahy, Eileen Duddy, and Theresa Sullivan. He was the brother-in-law of Linda Gunn of Billerica, the late Dick Gunn, Leo Fitzpatrick, William Leahy, Jim Duddy, Edward Sullivan, and John Stanton. He was the grandfather of Joseph B. Keohane & wife Andrea, Taryn Terwilliger and husband Kevin, Robert Keohane & wife Erica, Gregory Keohane & wife MaryKate, Derek Murphy, Erin Murphy, Andrew Keohane, Amanda Fisher-Katz-Keohane and husband Joel, Audrey Keohane & fiancée Michael, Elias Keohane, Emil Keohane, Xavier Keohane, Kaleigh Keohane, Michael Keohane, Colleen Keohane, Connor Keohane, Sarah Keohane, and Sean Keohane. He was the great grandfather of Joey, James, Blair, Kevin, Mason, Bobby, Cameron, Isla, Charlie, Nora, and Salem. He was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Thursday, June 12 from 4-7pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, June 13 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, at 10am. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.

Memorials in Joe’s name may be made to the MS Society Challenge Walk, https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&partic ipantID=583793.

For online guestbook & video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net