Kevin James Keogh

1941 - 2025

Kevin James Keogh
December 24, 1941 - December 11, 2025
Kevin James Keogh, born in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 24, 1941, passed away, surrounded by family, on December 11, 2025, as the breeze whipped down the Sakonnet River in Portsmouth, RI. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a gentle, humble, and caring man, steadfast in his morals and thoughtful in his beliefs.
Family was truly paramount for Kevin, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He delighted in their success, provided support and prudent guidance during times of need, and boundless love throughout. In the summer of 1974, Kevin met his wife of 50 years, Sue, through their love of sailing. Kevin proposed in February with an offer to wed before or after sailing season- but not during. They swiftly married on April 26, 1975. With the wedding gift of two sailing winches, the newlyweds set sail and continued to race in the Etchells class. In 1983, they welcomed their first child and then quickly grew to a family of six.
Kevin was valedictorian for the class of 1959 at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1963, where he was valedictorian and a member of the debate team. He went on to attend Harvard Law School class of 1966. Prior to starting his law career, he spent 3 years in Nicoya, Costa Rica, where he built transformational agricultural and community development cooperatives as a member of the Peace Corps. After returning from Costa Rica, Kevin started his career in corporate law at Breed, Abbott & Morgan in New York City, where he went on to become a partner. In 1988, he moved to White & Case as a partner, rising to senior partner until he retired in 2012. He cherished the long-lasting relationships with his colleagues and clients and was particularly proud of his efforts to champion female colleagues.
Kevin's passion for the water began at a young age, growing up sailing with his sister at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, CT, and later teaching sailing at Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY. He was a member of American Yacht Club in Rye, NY, for 50 years, where he served as Commodore beginning in 1984 and later the head of the Race Committee. As Commodore, he proudly expanded the membership classes to women and created opportunities for women in sailing. Racing with Sue in the Etchells and then New York 36 one-design fleets fostered many great friendships. They extended this joy to their growing family. The New York 36 became a cruising boat that fostered quality uninterrupted family time, a tradition they continued on their Grand Banks 36, "Sunshine," the setting for many retold family adventures. Kevin was a long-time member of the New York Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club, Commodore of the South Carolina Yacht Club (Hilton Head), President of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, and Chair of the Legal Committee for U.S. Sailing.
You wouldn't know it from his humble demeanor, but his deep love for the water led to many amazing accomplishments including top finishes at Etchells Worlds, completing numerous Newport to Bermuda races, growing the Harbor 20 Fleet and youth program at South Carolina Yacht Club, earning the President's Award from US Sailing for exceptional service, and many more.
On the land, Kevin loved his garden and sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends. Kevin relished welcoming all guests with open arms, eager to converse, feed, and enjoy their company. He was a proud member of the Vestry of Christ Church (Greenwich) and spent many Sundays as an usher welcoming all parishioners. Later in life it was his grandchildren that brought him the greatest joy, letting them style his hair while he joked and tickled them, inciting youthful laughter from all.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Keogh; his daughter, Caroline Blevins (Josh); his sons, Jim Keogh (Kristina), Colin Keogh (Rachel), and Brendan Keogh (Sean); and his six grandchildren, whom he adored. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, James and Verna Keogh; and his sister, Kathy Reed (Keogh).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hematologic Oncology Treatment Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or to Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice. Beyond these gifts, we encourage you to do as Kevin would: find ways to empower the next generation to discover the joy of the water. A celebration of his life will be held on May 16, 2026, at American Yacht Club in Rye, NY.