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John Keenan, a South Bay resident who built his Torrance-based insurance business into one of the largest privately-held brokerage and consulting firms in the country while prioritizing his employees and customer service, has died. He was 84.
Keenan, chairman of Keenan & Associates on Crenshaw Boulevard, died Wednesday afternoon at Torrance Memorial Medical Center with family members at his side. Doctors discovered Keenan had a brain tumor when he suffered a stroke on Saturday, his son, Phil Keenan said Thursday.
Despite his condition, Keenan spent Sunday and Monday calling in his company's administrators and his family members to his hospital room to instruct them on how to run the business without him, his son said.
"He managed his death like he managed his company," his son said. "He did it his way."
39 Entries
Thinking of you today big John. I still have the box of Kleenex you gave me for my birthday. Chuck misses you so much. We are honored to have had you in our live and as a dear friend. May you rest in perfect peace with the Lord. Until we meet again.....
Rebecca
Friend
May 21, 2021
Chuck and Becky Horner
April 29, 2017
I worked for Keenan for 21 years. Now that I am retired, I am truly thankful that Keenan offered their ESOP and 401k. More importantly, I have been John's girlfriend for 8 1/2 years. I guess at my age I should say companion. I think our ages dictate that.
One of my favorite photos of John is not his portrait, or photos from cruises we took and events we attended but of John and Frank Shimsky walking in front of of us in Istanbul. The us were: Linda and Herb Elliott, Frank's wife Anne, Jim and Dolores Kreig. These two were walking with their hands clasped behind their backs. I will always wonder if they were talking politics. What I noticed the most about John was his broad shoulders. And I thought: Mr. Keenan, you carry a lot of people on your shoulders and add so much to our lives. John took care of a lot of people: me, my family, his family, some friends, and his employees. John never saw situations as a problem, he only saw solutions. If you had a problem, he had a solution.
Gotta love the man, and I do. Thank you John, for making my life better, not only as an employee, but as a "girlfriend." And thank you for having an amazing impact on my and my families' life. I miss you very much, Mr. Keenan.
Kathryn Boyle
October 10, 2014
John was one of the kindest and most honorable men with whom I have been acquainted. He was a great friend to our family. He will be greatly missed.
May God bless his family.
September 30, 2014
I offer my deepest condolences to the Keenan family. I had the pleasure to work at Keenan & Associates from 2006-2009. I have the utmost admiration and respect for Mr. Keenan. He created a wonderful working environment and the loyalty of the employees is a true testament to that.
Mr. Keenan was a pioneer and a man ahead of his time. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Mary Hollenbecl
September 24, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Keenan family on the passing of your father.
Sincerely, Lynn & Don Ott
don Ott
September 22, 2014
My sincere condolences on the passing of John Keenan. I worked at Keenan and Associates in the late 1980s and early 1990s. My desk was right outside of Johns office and he was always very pleasant and kind. I worked for Vince for a while and of course saw Dan and Tom a lot as I worked for Dave Balak and for Don Leonard and Don Balzano for a while also. I was sorry to hear about Johns passing and wish the family well. I am sorry that I was unable to attend his funeral, but my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely
Rosemarie Buehler
September 21, 2014
John Keenan was a real mentor. I worked for John back in 1979, his words of wisdom have always stuck with me. He always encouraged me to "speak my mind" and demand the respect of others no matter how "important" they are. Thank you John! You will always have a special place in my heart ??
Sandy Gutierrez
September 20, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bob Giltzow
September 20, 2014
DAN, We wanted you to know that you and the rest of the Keenan clan are not alone at this moment remembering the life of your father. Because of his doing, many people are now enjoying their retirement years. He truly was a great man. We are sure that he is in Heaven, playing tennis with old buddies. We were part time employees in the SERP division of the company. We didn't get to see him much, but when we did we felt that he thought we were his most valuable employees. He is gone, but not forgotten. Our prayers are with you. DUFF AND DAN MEANS
DUFF & DAN MEANS
September 19, 2014
We are going to miss you both as a friend and a great Insuirance guy
csasey & sheri dodge
September 19, 2014
We were so sorry to hear of the death of John and want his wonderful boys to know we will miss him here in the desert. We always enjoyed talking to him and how kind he was. He was so proud of his boys and all they were involved in. I'm sure this will be a sad Thanksgiving here without him. God Bless you and your family. Joan and Bob Steele
Joan Steele
September 18, 2014
Condolences to the Keenan family. Thoughts and prayers
are with the family.
Robin Crowell (Crisfield)
September 16, 2014
Having known many Keenan family members as former students and/or friends, we are saddened by John's passing. He was a giant in the insurance business and he built a business that made him proud -- and rightfully so. We want to express our sympathy to all the Keenan family.
Bill & Sandy Franchini
Bill Franchini
September 12, 2014
Rest In Peace, Mr. Keenan...Judy Bruno.
September 11, 2014
Chris, So sorry to hear of your dads passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. The Paoletti Family
Phyllis Paoletti
September 11, 2014
Dear Danny and Family,
I was saddened to hear the news of your Dad's passing.
I have great memories of your Dad and Mom and how they raised you and your brothers. The Keenan boys were always a pleasure to teach in the classroom and coach on the field...certainly a result of how your parents raised you.
As teachers, both Lynn and I are most appreciative of the path your Dad forged in taking care of the insurance needs of public school teachers. He will not be forgotten for his commitment, care, and concern.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rich Busia
Rich Busia
September 11, 2014
Chris, So sorry to hear of your dads passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Paoletti Family
September 11, 2014
My sympathy, prayers, and love, to Dan, Phil, Kevin, Tim, Chris, Tommy, and Vincent. Love, Annette O'N
September 11, 2014
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such an impressive human being. He taught me so much about business while I worked at K&A in the 80's & 90's. He always treated his employees like "family" and I always appreciated that. He always wanted his employees to "stick your head up" even though it might be chopped off! He didn't want wall flowers, he wanted his employees to take chances and to be heard.
He was always around if you wanted to talk and he never thought he was any better than any of his employees. I enjoyed playing tennis with him and eating sandwiches at the San Franciscan. I will always remember his kindness he showed to me during the 9 years I spent there. Because of John's generosity, through his profit sharing, he has set many of us up for a nice retirement.
My sincere condolences to the Keenan family. May God Bless all of you. John will be greatly missed.
With deepest sympathy,
Conrad Del Rosario
September 10, 2014
Phil sorry to hear about your dad
Ken Carr VIP 69 Redondo Police Dept.
Ken Carr
September 10, 2014
George and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the Keenan family at this difficult time. May Mr. Keenan rest in peace. Dan & Judy, and all the Keenan family, treasure the memories that made your family so special. Most importantly though, may your Dad's legacy life on.
Teri & George Pohley
September 10, 2014
Mr. John Keenan was the best example of a human being with true integrity and had the personality to see everyone succeed in life. I worked for Keenan for 15 years. These were the most wonderful years of my life. I respected John and he was one person I called a leader and the best example on how we should model our lives. The world lost the greatest. My love goes to his family, remember the good times and continue living as your dad would
Nidra Kumaradas
September 9, 2014
I was very sad to hear of John's passing. I worked for Keenan for 25 years. I always felt that John looked after his employees like they were all his family. John was always very personable and approachable and will be missed by many and he raised 7 wonderful sons! My heartfelt condolences. My thoughts and prayers go out to John's entire family.
Nancye Shatz
September 8, 2014
John Keenan was an amazing human being. I worked for his company for seven and a half years and can honestly say this was the best company I ever worked for. John valued each and every one of his employees. He not only treated his employees well but he treated his community well. He had ethics and integrity and was always giving back. As a company, there were food drives and blood drives and opportunities to donate toward needy families. He was always give back through his company. Lastly he always stopped and said hello and had a genuine smile for you when you passed him in the hallway. I have and always will have the utmost respect for John Keenan. He has certainly left a legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Shannon Adams(Donovan)
September 6, 2014
I was an employee of Keenan and Assoc. before my move to Florida. John was one of the kindest and most giving people I have ever known. I loved the chats we had at my desk on his visits to our floor. My condolences the entire Keenan family. You have lost a treasure. John rest in peace .
Charlene Parlin (Lofton)
September 6, 2014
John was an admired and generous graduate of Mount Carmel High School in Los Angeles. He has helped preserve the Carmelite legacy in South Central Los Angeles by supporting both schools and students in Deanery 16. The Mount Carmel Alumni Foundation, St. Raphael's School, Verbum Dei High School and St. Mary's Academy just to name a few. He was an original....and will be missed.
September 6, 2014
John Keenan was smart and generous and had foresight. I first met him at an event for African-American insurance professionals he co-sponsored. He will be missed.
Teddy Snyder
September 6, 2014
The industry lost a giant. John was a pioneer and a great one. I am saddened with this news.
Sincerely,
Harold D. Anderson
September 6, 2014
I had the pleasure of doing business with Keenan and hearing Mr. Keenan speak years ago. I count him as one of the true visionaries who shaped our industry and built a company of real integrity and purpose. I am inspired by leaders like Mr. Keenan and offer both my gratitude and condolences to his family.
Michael Lujan
September 6, 2014
We were very sadden to hear the news about John. He has been a part of our life for many years. He will be missed dearly. Our prayers and thought go out to all of the Keenan boy's.
Les and Cathy Toffel
September 5, 2014
I was saddened to read of Mr. Keenan's passing - my condolences to the entire Keenan family.
Maria Borrelli
September 5, 2014
This company was my first employer. I always remember Mr. Keenan as being such a friendly man. He always said hi to everyone he saw and had a heart felt smile when doing it. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.
Megan Monroy
September 5, 2014
I was a Keenan employee for 10 years and remember John fondly. I think he was a great business and family man and know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Lola Kakes
September 5, 2014
Dan, Tom, Vince and the rest of the Keenan family,
My love and prayers to you during this difficult journey. Your dad was a wonderful man to work for and I enjoyed getting reconnected with all of you during my time at Keenan. I know your Dad is now at peace.
Much love
Mary Gomez-Ross
September 5, 2014
I send condolences to the Keenan family and Kathryn. I will always cherish the personal notes John wrote for my special occasions while working at Keenan. I spend my prayers and love to Kathryn.
Maarika Davidson
September 5, 2014
I have been at Keenan for over 22 years. The longevity of the employees that work for him tells his story. It is an awesome company to work for and he was the best to his employees. He will be truly missed. I had the pleasure of knowing his sister, Ginny. They are together in Paradise and he will be trully missed. My prayers and condolences to the family.
Evelyn Radillo
September 5, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and Kathryn. When we would come to California to visit John enjoyed coming to have home cooked dinners that Jim and myself would prepare . John was so nice and very personable. If he was talking to you he focused on you . He had a way of talking to strangers and made them feel like he knew them for years. And Thank you John for taking me for a tour down Rodeo drive. You will be missed.
Machelle Bailey
September 5, 2014
My wife and I would like to express our deepest condolences to the entire Keenan Family. I can still remember the numerous conservations I shared with John regard my job at the LAPD while dining at Borrelli's Italian Restaurant.
Godspeed John!
Mike and Dianne Farrell
September 4, 2014
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