Arthur W. Keegan

WOONSOCKET - Arthur W. Keegan, 94, of Oakley Road, Woonsocket, died February 17, 2021 in the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. He was the husband of the late Mary (McLaughlin) Keegan. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late James and Florence (Gaudette) Keegan.

Mr. Keegan worked as a Safety and Security Manager for the former Eastern Utilities Associates, now National Grid.

Mr. Keegan lived a life of service to others. After his father's death in 1942, he left school at age 16 to support his mother and siblings, often holding three jobs at a time.

Eventually, he secured a job working for the Blackstone Valley Gas and Electric Company as a meter reader. He earned his high school equivalency and enrolled at New England Institute of Technology to study appliance repair. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Rhode Island, while working full time, volunteering, and raising a family. He also became a certified protection professional and graduated from The Defense Industrial Security Institute in Richmond, VA.

Arthur began his association with the Boy Scouts of America in 1938, at the age of 12. His life was guided by the Scout Oath and Law. He maintained his passion for scouting over the next 82 years, and served the organization at the local, regional and national levels. He achieved many of the Boy Scouts' most prestigious awards and recognitions, including the Silver Antelope, the Silver Beaver, and the St. George Emblem, to name a few.

He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for more than 50 years, earning the Clara Barton Award. Additionally, he was honored with the Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year Award.

Arthur was a deeply spiritual man who spent his life in service to God and His church. He was a lifetime parishioner of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Woonsocket, where he served as Trustee, Parish Council Chair, Finance Committee member, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server, and in many other capacities as needed by the parish. He was a devoted volunteer at the parish food pantry and constructed the chapel at the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy.

His greatest accomplishment, however, was as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend to many.

He lived a life of faith, service, love, and goodness.

He is survived by his daughter, Eleanor Pierannunzi and her husband, Paul, of Woonsocket; his son, Arthur E. Keegan and his wife, Amanda, of Wrentham, MA; six grandchildren: Meaghan Pierannunzi Glenn and her husband Brendan, Ryan Pierannunzi, Sean, Haley, and Evan Keegan, and Anthony Tran; and a great- granddaughter, Nora Grace Glenn. He was the brother of the late Renee Berard, James Keegan, and Robert Keegan, and step-brother of the late Roger Turgeon.

His funeral will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021, beginning with visitation at 9:00 AM in St. Charles Church, 8 Daniels St., Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, which may also be viewed live at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/41784063 Social distancing guidelines and mandatory mask wearing will be followed upon your arrival at the church. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery, Farm St., Blackstone. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Art Keegan's name to the Rhode Island Boy Scouts endowment that will fund improvements at Camp Yawgoog. You may make a gift at www.ncbsa.org/keegan or mail a check to Rhode Island Boy Scouts, PO Box 14777, East Providence, RI 02914 and note "Art Keegan Memorial Fund".

A memorial celebration of his life is planned for late summer (circumstances permitting).

www.holtfuneralhome.com