John G. O'Keefe, Jr.

Bethlehem-

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Gerald O’Keefe, Jr. who left us on October 6 2023 at the age of 95, in Bethlehem CT. He was born on January 22 1928 in Middletown CT to the late J. Gerald O’Keefe, Sr. and Genevieve (Campbell) O’Keefe.
He graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1945. He attended Morse College in Hartford, CT and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University, NJ in1965. He completed the Management Development Program at The Hartford Graduate Center of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1966 and from the American Institute of Banking in 1967. He worked for Aetna Life and Casualty and Phoenix State Bank and Trust Co. before joining the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company in 1951. He progressed at CBT, retiring as a Vice
President in 1985. He also served on the boards of a number of corporations, including the F S Kapla Paving Company, Hartford. In 1983, he received a citation from CIGNA for his decades of volunteer service as both Chairman of the Credit Policy Committee and his work on the Loan Committee of the Hartford Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. He also served, at various times, as a member, officer/director of the Corpus Christi Parent Teachers Association, Knights of Columbus, Wethersfield Businessmen’s and Civic Associations, Kiwanis International and the
Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
In 1994, Jerry and his wife Martha moved from their long time home in Wethersfield to Bethlehem CT. There he served as a catechist for many years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Jerry delighted in his family, his friends and his woodworking hobby. He compiled an extensive and detailed family history. In 2002, he won an award from Edy’s Ice Cream for his writing. He loved the outdoors and in particular sport fishing as a surfcaster in saltwater and fly fishing in fresh water with fishing rods he designed and hand made. His fishing adventures led to many friendships with so many wonderful people. He also loved photographing the adventures and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He considered himself very blessed to have had such a wonderful wife and family and so interesting and varied a life.

He leaves behind a loving family: his devoted wife of 71 years, Martha (Buzaid) O’Keefe; cherished children, Patricia and Robert Dwyer of Wayne, PA, Katherine and Dr. Jeffery Thomsen of Rocky Hill, CT, Thomas and Jeryl O’Keefe of Glastonbury, CT, Kevin O’Keefe of Duxbury, MA, John and Mary-Beth O’Keefe of Rutherfordton, NC, Mary and Robert Perrotti of Middletown, CT, Genevieve and James DeFelice of Havertown, PA, Paul O’Keefe of Glastonbury, CT, and his beloved daughter-in-law Victoria (Kemp) O’Keefe of Marlborough, CT; his grandchildren Courtney and Michael Beeker of East Whiteland, PA, Robert and Ashley Dwyer of Brambleton, VA, Michael Dwyer of Brooklyn, NY, Shelley O’Keefe of Marlborough, CT, Nathan and Melissa Thomsen of Warwick, RI, Laura and Michael Morello of Middletown, CT, Kevin and Baillee Thomsen of Maybank, TX, Dr. Lena O’Keefe and her fiancé Dr. Michael Mi of
Boston, MA, Shannon and Tom Legere of Vernon, CT, Kimberly and Min Yoon of Vernon, CT, Shaylyn O’Keefe, of Duxbury, MA, Niall O’Keefe of Duxbury, MA, Joshua and Ana O’Keefe of Rutherfordton, NC, Dr. Carolyn and William Lake of Auburn, CA, Elizabeth and Captain Andy Barrett of Southington, CT, Staff Sergeant Anthony and Shelby Perrotti of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Captains Catherine and Geoffrey Viray of Las Vegas, NV, Staff Sergeant Frank Perrotti of Ellington, CT, Jamie-Marie DeFelice of Philadelphia, PA, Adam DeFelice of Round Rock, TX, Shane O’Keefe of Glastonbury, CT, Jacqueline O’Keefe of Hoboken, NJ, Natalie O’Keefe of Glastonbury, CT; and his great grandchildren, Avery and Addison Beeker, Andrew, William and Lena Dwyer, Charlotte and Marguerite Thomsen, Mia and Luke Morello, Baerren and Brextten Thomsen, Alexander Soon, Paisley O’Keefe, Lucca Perrotti, Clark and Benjamin Viray. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Barbara (Parsons) O’Keefe of Wethersfield, CT; his nephews Attorney Mathew O’Keefe of Old Saybrook, CT, Michael and Janet O’Keefe of Tolland, CT, Attorney Peter and Gloria O’Keefe of Wethersfield, CT.
He was predeceased by his son Timothy J O’Keefe, his grandsons, Sean K O’Keefe and David P O’Keefe, his siblings, Faith C O’Keefe, R. Jean O’Keefe, Thomas W. O’Keefe III and Attorney Andrew J O’Keefe and his niece Ann (O’Keefe) Ford. He honorably served his country in the Federal Service of the Army of the United States as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion 325th Glider Infantry Regiment from March 1946 until April 1947. He was awarded a World War II Victory Medal.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place 11am Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church located 34 Green Hill Rd Washington, CT. Burial with military honors will immediately follow services at St. John Cemetery in Middletown, CT.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John G. O'Keefe, Jr., please visit our floral store.