Obituary Published in The Journal News, Sept. 21 2013
Harold Jeffrey Keahon
(November 22, 1943 - September 18, 2013)
U.S. Veteran Harold Jeffrey Keahon, known to his family and many friends in the community as ‘Jeffrey’. At age 69, he passed away on Wednesday, September 18that the Joe Raso Residence of United Hospice of Rockland County in New City. He was a lifelong resident of Pearl River, New York.
Born on November 22, 1943, Jeffrey graduated from Don Bosco Preparatory High School in 1961 and Georgetown University in 1965, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. A proud Veteran, Jeffrey served with the United States Army as Specialist First Class with the 387th Transportation Battalion in South Vietnam. He was employed until his retirement as secretary/treasurer of Keahon Brothers, Inc. Jeffery travelled the world throughout his life, he appreciated all the different cultures and learning all he could. He enjoyed reading and people, and especially his philanthropy works.
Jeffrey was known and respected as a generous yet modest philanthropist and humanitarian, supporting and serving on the boards of numerous community and not-for-profit organizations in Rockland County, New York. He was most active in the Rotary Club of Pearl River, of which he was president in 1988-89 and in 2008-2009, Jeffrey served as District Governor for Rotary International’s District 7210 covering 66 communities in eight counties of the Hudson Valley.
Jeffrey took special interest in Rotary’s campaign to wipe out polio throughout the world. He raised money and promoted awareness for the campaign. He travelled to Mexico and other countries to personally administer oral polio vaccine to children as part of the program. He generously donated the immunizations for over 1 million children under the age of five from vaccine preventable diseases as part of Rotary Foundation’s Polioplus Program of Rotary International.
He loved to golf and raise money for worthy causes. Jeffrey was strong supporter of the Rotary Scholarship Foundation, which raises money to provide scholarships for post-secondary study for residents of the Pearl River School District through the Ed Bouton Memorial Golf Tournament.
An avid historian, Jeffrey took an active role with the Orangetown Historical Society, the Orangetown Museum and Archives, and the Rockland County Historical Society. He enjoyed playing historic characters such as Major John Andre in re-creation events.
Jeffrey also dedicated his time and talents to the growth and expansion of Jawanio and United Hospice of Rockland County and Joe Raso Hospice Residence.
Jeffrey will be remembered as a great humanitarian in action and served on the board of the following community and not-for-profit organizations:
President of the Board of Directors of the following organizations:
• The Nyack Hospital Foundation,
• The Pearl River Rotary Scholarship Foundation
• Jawonio
• Keep Rockland Beautiful
• Don Bosco Preparatory High School
• Pearl River Ambulance Corp
• Rockland County Meals on Wheels
• Rockland Family Shelter
• Rockland County YMCA
• The Rotary Club of Pearl River
• The Historical Society of Rockland County
• President of Jawonio, New Jersey
He served on the Board of Directors of:
• The Rockland County Mental Health Foundation
• The Girl Scouts Council of Rockland County
• United Hospice of Rockland County
• The High Tor Animal Care Center
• Nami-Familya of Rockland County
• The Friends of the Orangetown Museum
• The Rockland County Foundation
• The Rockland County Cornell Cooperative Extension
• A Trustee of the Rockland County YMCA
• Director of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation
Among the numerous awards for his community service, Jeffrey was recognized as follows:
• Philanthropist of the Year by the Rockland Development Council
• Received the Friends Award from Jawonio
• Was awarded the Joseph R. Bernstein Award from the Mental Health Association
• Received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Association for the Visually Impaired
• Rockland Leaders Award from the Arthritis Foundation
• Designated by the New York Senate for special recognition by the Historical Society of Rockland County.
In the Senate’s proclamation the following was proclaimed:
'It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and that attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jeffrey Keahon upon the occasion of this designation for special recognition.'
Jeffrey is survived by his life partner of twenty seven years, Angela D. Mattei. Sisters, Julianne Wylie and Janice Keahon. Stepson, Will Mattei and daughter-in-law, Tracy and grandchildren William Michael and Natalee Jean; niece, Brenda Wiley, nephews Andrew Wiley and Shane Wiley, and many cousins and a host of incredible and loving friends.
Jeffrey stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor throughout his life. His rare and impressive dedication to charitable causes made a wonderful and indelible impact in the world, near and far, young and old, able and diff-abled. He was a true humanitarian who was graced with the wisdom and talent to always do for his fellow man. His ability to teach during an ordinary conversation or lively debate was known and revered by all who were lucky enough to have known him. We are all grateful for everything about Jeffrey, and he will be incredibly missed.
Visiting Hours are Saturday Sept. 21 and Sunday Sept. 22 3pm-6pm at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc.
100 Franklin Ave. Pearl River,
New York 10965
Phone: 845-735-2161
A public memorial event will be held at a later time to include all who wish to celebrate his life and great works. Thank you for understanding that Angela, family and close friends need privacy in mourning the loss at this time.
In lieu of flowers, kindly support one of the many charities that Jeffrey supported, in his name:
United-Hospice-of-Rockland-County
Jawanio
Families of Rockland County
Pearl River Rotary
Guest Book
September 20, 2013
September 20, 2013
Jeffrey was a great humanitarian. The world seems a better place because of his work and all of the causes he supported so tirelessly. His memory and legacy will live on forever.
Our sincere condolences and comfort to Angela and his family and friends who will miss his presence. May he rest in peace.
~
Cousin Maureen Burlington Caffrey and Philip Caffrey
Our sincere condolences and comfort to Angela and his family and friends who will miss his presence. May he rest in peace.
~
Cousin Maureen Burlington Caffrey and Philip Caffrey
September 20, 2013
Memories of Jeffrey from Georgetown days
with love from cousin
Sheila Burlington Finnerty
Walking to class as a freshman and suddenly a bucket of water pours all over me. "Hi, I'm your cousin". That was the beginning of getting to know Jeffrey. We shared many laughs and many adventures. He enlisted me to tutor in the inner city. I figured I'd be reading to young kids but no he left me in an algebra class. At one point I left the students to ask Jeffrey how to solve a problem, and of course when I returned they were all gone. He enlisted me in the civil rights movement, a passion we shared. Before he left for Vietnam he went on the roller coaster at Glen Echo. He wrote letters to me at Georgetown, always putting the return address as Planned Parenthood because he knew the dorm lady would see it and wonder what I was up to. When he returned to DC, he asked if he could sleep one night on the couch of the apt I shared with 2 girls. Two months later he moved on. He just loved answering the phone for us. After I was married, Jeffrey wrote that he would be "biking" through DC on his way south. He just showed up one day as I was on the way to the pool with 2 toddlers and a baby. "I don't know how to tell you this Jeffrey, after you just biked from NY, but we're driving to the pool, which is 5 blocks away."
I am so sad about this terrible loss and I offer my wonderful memories with my condolences to Angela and his entire family. As impressive as his obituary is, it is no surprise to me who knew his heart, his humor, and his passion for the rights of others a long time ago.
A life well lived Jeffrey!!
Love Sheila
September 20, 2013 with love from cousin
Sheila Burlington Finnerty
Walking to class as a freshman and suddenly a bucket of water pours all over me. "Hi, I'm your cousin". That was the beginning of getting to know Jeffrey. We shared many laughs and many adventures. He enlisted me to tutor in the inner city. I figured I'd be reading to young kids but no he left me in an algebra class. At one point I left the students to ask Jeffrey how to solve a problem, and of course when I returned they were all gone. He enlisted me in the civil rights movement, a passion we shared. Before he left for Vietnam he went on the roller coaster at Glen Echo. He wrote letters to me at Georgetown, always putting the return address as Planned Parenthood because he knew the dorm lady would see it and wonder what I was up to. When he returned to DC, he asked if he could sleep one night on the couch of the apt I shared with 2 girls. Two months later he moved on. He just loved answering the phone for us. After I was married, Jeffrey wrote that he would be "biking" through DC on his way south. He just showed up one day as I was on the way to the pool with 2 toddlers and a baby. "I don't know how to tell you this Jeffrey, after you just biked from NY, but we're driving to the pool, which is 5 blocks away."
I am so sad about this terrible loss and I offer my wonderful memories with my condolences to Angela and his entire family. As impressive as his obituary is, it is no surprise to me who knew his heart, his humor, and his passion for the rights of others a long time ago.
A life well lived Jeffrey!!
Love Sheila
What an impressive man! One can truly say the world is s better place because he was here.My sincere condolences to the family and those whose lives he touched.
~
Cousin Mary Lee Burlington Clancy
~
Cousin Mary Lee Burlington Clancy
September 19, 2013
My sympathies to Angela and the Keahon family on the death of Jeffrey. I was saddened to hear the news. May the wonderful memories shared with him warm your hearts in the difficult days ahead. With sympathy and affection,
Cousin Patsy Burlington Madden
Cousin Patsy Burlington Madden
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