Patrick Edmund O’Keeffe

Patrick Edmund O’Keeffe, 83, born in Limerick, Ireland, and formerly of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Jan. 30, 2009 in Savannah, Georgia, while on vacation.  

He was the son of David Joseph O’Keeffe and Mary Alice Gilliard O’Keeffe of Limerick. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sheila Marie O’Keeffe and by three siblings, Margaret Irene, Desmond David and William Gerald O’Keeffe. 

While in his native land, Paddy O’Keeffe, as he was called there, played the Gaelic game of hurling and was an All-Ireland championship player.  As a teen, he joined the Irish National Guard and became part of the Irish Army in response to the beginnings of World War II.   

In 1948 he sailed out of Cobh, County Cork to pursue the American dream. 

Once he arrived in the United States, he joined the National Guard in 1950 and was soon federalized into the United States Army.  He attended combat engineering school before being transferred to Germany with the 43rd Infantry Division, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. 

Patrick married his former wife, Diane Pollard of Richmond, Virginia, in 1953 and together they had four children.  He became a U.S. citizen in March of 1954 and was honorably discharged from the Army the following year.  The rest of his career was spent as a successful salesman for Sterling Equipment Corporation and National Chemsearch and continued selling until the time of his death. 

Patrick was probably best known for his Irish charm and brogue as well as his perfect Irish tenor voice.  His beautiful solos often left listeners in tears. 

He will be remembered for his will in overcoming Macular Degeneration, which left him legally blind, and pulmonary fibrosis.  He was a member of the Blinded Veterans Association and was a participant in the National Veterans Golden Age Games.  His biggest delight and interest, however, was in watching his grandchildren grow.    

Mr. O’Keeffe  is survived by his wife Carole Maguire O’Keeffe and his daughters, Patricia O’Keeffe Brennan, Maureen O’Keeffe Corra and his son-in-law, Robert Corra; his son, Kevin O’Keeffe; three grandsons, Lee Patrick Brennan, Kyle Williams, and Austin Corra; two step-daughters, Shawn Maguire Gardner and Nicole Maguire Rodgers, four step-granddaughters Sara, Emma, Leah and Rachel, several cousins, nieces and nephews in Ireland, England, and the US; and his beloved dog Kerry. 

Visitation and viewing will be Thursday, Feb. 5th at St Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road in Virginia Beach from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and a prayer vigil from 7:00 to 7:30 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Nicholas on Friday at 2:00 pm.  Burial will be Saturday at 2:00 pm at Washington Memorial  Park, 626217 Memorial Dr Richmond, VA 23150 

IN MEMORIUM - PATRICK EDMUND O’KEEFFE

Viewing:

Thursday, February 5, 2009

5:00 to 7:00 pm

St. Nicholas Catholic Church

712 Little Neck Road

Virginia Beach, VA

Prayer Vigil:

Thursday, February 5, 2009

7:00 to 7:30 pm

St. Nicholas Catholic Church

Mass of Christian Burial:

Friday, February 6, 2009

2:00 pm

St. Nicholas Catholic Church

Burial:

Saturday, February 7, 2009

2:00 pm

Washington Memorial Park

6217 Memorial Drive

Richmond, VA

O'Keeffe home to St. Nicholas Catholic Church 

Driving directions to St Nicholas Catholic Church (757) 340-7231 3.0 mi – about 10 mins

3824 Silina Dr

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

1. Head east on Silina Dr toward Shannon Ct 0.6 mi

2.  Turn left at S Rosemont Rd 0.9 mi

3.  Turn right at US-58/Virginia Beach Blvd  0.4 mi

4.  Turn left at N Plaza Trail 79 ft

5.  Continue on Little Neck Rd  Destination will be on the right  1.1 mi

St Nicholas Catholic Church 712 Little Neck Rd

I-64 to Washington Memorial Park 

Driving directions to Washington Memorial Park & Mausoleums (804) 737-6006  86.7 mi – about 1 hour 32 mins

Interstate 64 Virginia Beach, VA 23464

1.  Head north on I-64 W  80.8 mi

2.  Take exit 205 for VA-33 W/VA-249 E toward Quinton/US-60 E  0.3 mi

3.  Turn left at VA-249/VA-33  0.5 mi

4.  Turn right at Pocahontas Trail/US-60/VA-33  Continue to follow US-60/VA-33  3.9 mi

5.  Turn left at Technology Blvd  0.6 mi

6.  Turn right at Memorial Dr Destination will be on the left  0.5 mi

Washington Memorial Park & Mausoleums

6217 Memorial Dr

Richmond, VA 23150

Washington Memorial Park to St. John's Catholic Church 

Driving directions to St John's Catholic Church  (804) 737-8028 6.4 mi – about 11 mins

Washington Memorial Park & Mausoleums

6217 Memorial Dr

VA 23150

1.  Head north on Memorial Dr toward Old Memorial Dr 0.5 mi

2.  Turn left at Technology Blvd 0.6 mi

3.  Turn left at US-60/VA-156/VA-33/E Williamsburg Rd  2.4 mi

4.  Turn right at E Nine Mile Rd/VA-33 Destination will be on the left  2.8 mi

St John's Catholic Church

811 W Nine Mile Rd

Highland Springs, VA 23075