Joseph Keegan

KEEGAN Joseph M., 85, former NJ State Senator and lifelong Passaic resident on October 21, 2007. Mr. Keegan was born in Passaic on Feb. 27, 1922, the son of the late Joseph and Anne (Gallagher) Keegan. He graduated from St. Nicholas grammar school in Passaic in 1935, St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City in 1940 and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA in 1944. While at Holy Cross Mr. Keegan enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He graduated from Officer Training School in Quantico, VA. where he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. He was wounded twice on Okinawa and received the Purple Heart. On Nov. 3, 1945, Mr. Keegan married his grammar school classmate, Dorothy M. Mitchell in St. Nicholas Church, Passaic, and was married for almost 62 years. He worked at US Rubber in Passaic to put himself through John Marshall Law School were he received an LLB Degree in 1948. He clerked for two judges and then served as law secretary for the then Passaic Mayor Morris Pashman in the early 1950's. He then maintained his own private law practice in Passaic for more than 45 years. Keegan first became active in Passaic County Democratic politics in the early 1950's. He was first elected to the NJ State Assembly in 1957 and served four 2-year terms. He was elected to the State Senate in 1965 and served until 1967. His sponsorship of S-400, an unemployment compensation bill that permitted benefits to strikers after a strike has lasted seven weeks provided both sides are bargaining in good faith, cost him his re-election in 1967. Other courageous legislative achievements included helping to pass what was then one of the toughest gun control bills in the nation and a state sales tax, so that New Jersey could begin to fulfill its responsibilities to all its citizens. Mr. Keegan served as executive director of the NJ State Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Board Chairman & Commissioner of the Passaic Valley Sewage Commission and counsel to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, He was a longtime Trustee of St. Nicholas RC Church, Passaic, member of the board of trustees of St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic and a promoter and 55 year retreatant of the Loyola House of Retreats, Morristown. He was a class agent and member of the President's Council of Holy Cross College and a member and past honoree of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He was also a member of the American Legion Carroll Post # 161, Passaic, VFW, and the Perez Council Knights of Columbus. Mr. Keegan is survived by his daughter, Patricia Anne, White Plains, NY who is the district director for Congresswoman Nita Lowey in Westchester County, NY: 1 grandson Kevin Keegan Abels, Denver, CO and his granddaughter Kathleen Keegan Abels, White Plains and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Joan Keegan Sheridan. Funeral from the Powell-Marrocco Funeral Home 470 Colfax Avenue Clifton on Friday at 9:15 AM. Funeral mass at St. Nicholas R.C. Church - Passaic - 10 AM. Interment St. Nicholas Cemetery. Visiting Wednesday 7-9 and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9. In lieu of flowers contributions to St. Nicholas RC Church, the Alzheimer's Association or the Loyola House of Retreats. www.marroccos.com