Wayne R. Keeney

Wayne R. Keeney
June 27, 1949 - December 16, 2025
The Hon. Wayne R. Keeney passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, surrounded by loving family. Born in 1949, in New York City, Wayne was raised in Throggs Neck in the Bronx. After graduating from high school, Wayne enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, later receiving an Honorable Discharge. Wayne served as an NYPD officer from 1969 to 1977, assigned to Plainclothes, Anti-Crime and Narcotics Enforcement, where he formed lifelong friendships with his fellow officers. He later moved to Florida, serving as a detective in the Airport Narcotics Squad in Broward County. Wayne graduated Cum Laude from St. Francis College, Brooklyn. During that time, he also worked for the Legal Aid Society in Brooklyn as a Criminal Defense Investigator. He went on to pursue his law degree at New York Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1988, and then relocated to California where he took and passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice in the State of California and federal courts. Wayne first practiced law with the Office of the City Attorney in San Diego, followed by private practice in California and then Connecticut. With his passion for trial law, the work that mattered most to him was work that championed the needs of others and furthered fairness in the criminal justice system. Wayne was a proud member of the criminal defense bar and a Special Public Defender in Connecticut for many years. He was actively involved with the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and mentored many young attorneys. Wayne was appointed Chairman of the Judicial Review Council for the State of Connecticut in 2010. In 2014, he was appointed to the bench as a State of Connecticut Family Support Magistrate, receiving an honorary award and accolades for his service in 2019 at the time he retired and returned to private practice.
In 2005, Wayne married his wife, Valerie Maze Keeney, also an attorney, who survives him. They enjoyed a wonderful life together for more than twenty years. Wayne is also survived by his beloved brother, Brian Keeney, and Wayne's beloved children (by prior marriage), Kristin Harmon (Jeffrey), Bret Keeney (Viviana), and Mark Keeney (Elle), his nephew, Jonathan, niece, Samantha, and grandchildren, Keenan, Scout, Emily, Sadie, Dylan, Hailey, Ryann, Amanda, Taylor and Siani. Wayne will be deeply missed by their extended families in Connecticut, New York, California, and North Carolina, including sisters-in-law, Christine Maze and Karen Maze (Michael Touna), brother-in-law, William Maze (Elizabeth), and nephews, Steven, William, Preston, Graham, Lewis, and niece, Gillian, and numerous relatives in the north of Ireland. Wayne will be missed by a legion of colleagues and friends.
Wayne's favorite avocations were mentorship and helping others. He loved sailing, horseback riding, reading, discussing world events, theater, music, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. He loved life and he loved people. Known for his generosity, Wayne lived to make a difference in the lives of those around him.
A Wake will be held Sunday 12/21/25, from 3-7 pm at Schuyler Hill Funeral Home, 3535 Tremont Ave., Bronx, NY. Funeral services are on Monday, 10 am, 12/22/25, at Stanwich Church, 202 Taconic Rd., Greenwich, CT. Any donations graciously given in his honor may be directed in memory of Wayne R. Keeney to Yale New Haven Hospital, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, or to the charity of your choice.