Robert O’Keefe Sr., 86, passed away on October 7th,2016. Born March 2,1930 in Taunton, Mass to Ella + John O’Keefe. His mother died when he was 2 and his father when he was 12. His older siblings and aunts and uncles stepped up to help raise him, and thru his own pure perseverance he was able to make the most of his life.
He attained his Masters in Special Education while working full time at the Paul Dever Institution for the developmentally disabled. He found his calling while working there and went on to be a key force in breaking the system of institutionalizing of the developmentally disabled.
He worked his way up into Management Positions at several different institutions, never forgetting his humble beginnings. He was known to spend much of his time walking the wards giving many residents some of the only hugs they received. He knew every residents name and for years would bring one or two of them home to have dinner with his family.
His fairness to staff members is legendary. Those he saw as having potential to advocate for the betterment of the clients were rewarded and many who entered the system found their mentor in him and went on to be educated through scholarships and the encouragement that he always had ready to offer. His greatest respect was always for those attendants who gave their all in the day to day primary care of the developmentally disabled.
His generous spirit along with wife Mary’s left them both serving as the surrogate parents for many. His ever loving attitude towards all of humanity was forever biased by his way of looking at the positive in every individual.
Of course all of his love for humanity was closely rivaled by his love for his Red Sox, and the other New England sports teams! He wore their colors in good times and bad.
Health issues in the later years of his life were not pleasant but he pushed himself beyond their grasp and came out the winner more times than once. Speech Therapist RoseMarie and his dogged determination to get off a feeding tube allowed him to eat again after 2 years of failed swallowing tests. When told it was over he just kept doing his exercises and asked for one more test. Not too many eyes were dry when we saw that image of the tapioca heading for the stomach not the lungs! Bobby had done it again. Bladder cancer came up to bat and he struck it out. A fall left him bedridden but he was not going to put up with that. Entering into physical therapy in a wheelchair with the cards stacked up against him he was able to walk again. Special thanks to Bill Bremiller and everyone at MOST PT, you’re the best and he was extremely grateful for the extraodinary care he received from all of you.
Huge thanks to the Heart Center at Vassar, Jerry, Dr Sarabu, and Dr Jafar. You had a great plan and we just ran out of time. Your personal care and unselfish referral show where your hearts are!
A Giant Shoutout to to the extended network of neighbors and friends who have provided so much love and support to Bob and Mary. Bob being one of the most grateful beings ever and a ESPN Fan would wholly endorse this shoutout!
Bob proudly served in the US Army. He was in the Dental Corps and when his young sons asked him,” What did you do in the Army, Dad?” He said “I fought cavities!” His sense of humor never wavered even on his last day.
For 63 years Bob had the privilege of being married to the love of his life. Wife Mary survives at home. She was the rock of all caretakers in his later years, making it possible for him to remain at home.
Survivors are many, a few from direct bloodline, but so many more taken in under Bob and Mary’s wing. They all wear in their hearts his encouragement and smile, love and humor. He was pre-deceased by a daughter RobinMarie who died shortly after birth and a son Steven who brought him much joy. Daughter Glenna and son Robert (Woogs) survive. He very much loved his only grandchild, the wonderful Ivy O’Keefe who made him made him very proud!
A service celebrating Bob’s life along with the life of family friend Thelma Sears who passed shortly after will be held this Saturday November 5th at St Joseph’s Church in Millbrook, NY at 11am.
