Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Joshua O'Keefe Obituary
Joshua R. O'Keefe
1990-2010 PITTSFIELD Mr. Joshua R. O'Keefe, 20, of 723 East St., Pittsfield, died June 13, in Lakeland, Fla., as a result of an automobile accident.
Born in Pittsfield on May 28, 1990, the son of Michael E. O'Keefe Jr. and Jeff and Sheri McAvoy Bynack, he was a 2008 graduate of Pittsfield High School.
While in high school, he was a member of the PHS track and football teams. He had a great passion for archery. Auto mechanics and cars were a top priority in his life.
At the time of his death, he was a student at the University Technical Institute in Orlando, Fla.
Besides his father of Pittsfield and his mother and stepfather of Monterey, Mass., he leaves a brother, Michael T. O'Keefe of Pittsfield; a sister, Ashley E. O'Keefe of Pittsfield; his maternal grandparents, Carol Merrill of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Donald McAvoy of Peru, Mass.; his paternal grandparents, Michael O'Keefe Sr. of Pittsfield, and Christian and Sandra Behne of Pittsfield. Joshua also leaves his devoted girlfriend, Azya M. Stracuzzi.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Mr. Joshua R. O'Keefe died in Lakeland, Fla., on June 13, as a result of an automobile accident. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, June 23, at 10 a.m. at the Dalton United Methodist Church, Dalton. The Rev. Robert Jackson, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Corashire Cemetery in Monterey, Mass. Calling hours will be at the DWYER FUNERAL HOME today, Tuesday, June 22, from 4-7 p.m.
If friends desire, donations may be made in his memory to Link to Life or to the Joshua R. O'Keefe Memorial Scholarship Fund at University Technical Institute to be established in his memory. These donations may be made in care of the DWYER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joshua O'Keefe
Donald Kowalczyk
July 15, 2010
Dear Michael,Sheri and Family
I am sorry for your loss of your son. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
dad
July 7, 2010
just stopping to say i love you and wish i had more time to keep telling you it over and over i will miss you and never forget how proud you had made me
Katie Litano
June 28, 2010
I really wish I got to say good-bye, but until we meet again, love and miss you, my friend.
gabby osborne
June 28, 2010
Miss you bro. It's not a goodbye, its's see you soon. our memories of you will never fade. I'll never forget betti's class freshman year. :)
my thoughts and prayers are with the family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Ashley Thomas
June 28, 2010
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Jenna
June 28, 2010
Josh there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. You made my bestfriend such a happy girl. I know you're up there watching out for all of us, keep us safe. Love and miss always. Rest in peace.
Christine White-Schleicher
June 25, 2010
Do not cry for me as I am not here...
The sun is my smile,
The stars are my eyes,
The wind is my touch,
The rainbow is my endless love for you.
Sheri,Mike,Azya,Kathy and families,
words can not express the heartfelt sympathy. May the memories you shared bring you comfort and peace and may time ease you sorrow.
My thoughs and prayers are with all of you.
George Baumann
June 25, 2010
Dear Mike and Family,
Our hearts grieve with you, such a terrible loss of a young life, there is nothing harder to endure. We pray for peace for Joshua's family. So very, very sorry.
George, Terry And Family(Baumann)
Colleen & Rick Lincoln
June 24, 2010
Joshua's Family, Azya, The Stracuzzi Family and all of his friends, may your memories help comfort you during this very sad time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Peterson
June 24, 2010
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, Joshua. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this extremely difficult time.
Willy and Nancy Peterson
Mark n Shelley Gardner
June 24, 2010
Azya, Kathy and Families,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy, Mark, Shelley, Marquie and Samantha Gardner
Greg & Brenda Taikowski
June 24, 2010
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010
Barbara Broderick Chittenden
June 24, 2010
A young life gone too soon, My condolences to all Josh's family friends and loved ones....may your memories bring comfort to you all. My heart goes out to you all, always.
Sandi Carlson
June 24, 2010
May Josh's light and love glow forever in your hearts.
Candice Freeman
June 24, 2010
Josh you will be truly missed! We love you and we will see you again! Azya and Joshes Family, Stay strong!!! Love all of you!
FOREVER LOVE...
Kim Stracuzzi
June 24, 2010
Kim Stracuzzi
June 24, 2010
May the light burn bright each day as you remember Joshua, his spirit will live on in each of your hearts, as you cherish memories of him. We are so saddened by the loss of your beloved. Azya, Uncle Tony and I love you.
Love,
Kim & Anthony Stracuzzi
Lori Madison
June 24, 2010
Praying for peace and healing to all that loved Josh... I'm am so sorry for your loss.
Val Mongue
June 23, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Josh was a great kid, who will be missed by so many!!
Linda Poplaski
June 23, 2010
Dear O'Keefe family and Azya,
My heartfelt sympathy to you all on the passing of Josh. You are in my prayers.
Ledbetters
June 23, 2010
We were saddened to read that an accident caused the death of your precious loved one and wanted to express our deepest condolences to you. Please find strength in knowing that God is "near to those that are broken at heart, and those who are crushed in spirit he saves."
Judy (Weatherwax) Sayers
June 23, 2010
Mike, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
Tina Kowalczyk
June 23, 2010
Dear Michael,Sheri and Family
I am so so sorry for your loss.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Peter & Nancy O'Donnell
June 22, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and Josh since we heard about the accident. May you somehow find comfort in your memories and beliefs.
June 22, 2010
Im really sorry for your loss my prayers are with all of Joshs family and friends Tammy Hunt
Peter Hirbour
June 22, 2010
Dear Sheri and family,
With deepest sorry my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul and Robin Ketchum
June 22, 2010
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Fred & Jan Perkett
June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010
We understand your pain because we've been there. There is no greater loss than that of your child. Your love for him and all the good memories will help you get through this tragic time. God Bless You
John & Gay Haczela
June 22, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Stephen & Lynn Brown
June 22, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Josh's family and friends.
Uncle Barry & Aunt Deb O'Keefe
June 22, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
Make a Donation
in Joshua O'Keefe's name
Memorial Events
for Joshua O'Keefe
How to support Joshua's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Joshua O'Keefe's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
