William J. O'Keefe

William J. O’Keefe, 57, died Monday, July 12, 2010 in Massachusetts General Hospital following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Joanne M. (Sheehan) O’Keefe, with whom he shared twenty-six years of marriage. Born in Salem on April 24, 1953, he was the son of Helen (Donovan) O’Keefe of Beverly and the late William O’Keefe. He was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School. He continued his education at UMass Amherst where he earned his bachelor’s degree. For more than thirty years, Bill was employed as a machinist at General Electric in Lynn. He enjoyed golf and loved spending time with his family, especially his wife and daughters, to whom he was devoted. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two daughters, Maura O’Keefe of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Megan O’Keefe of Danvers, a brother, Daniel O’Keefe and his wife Ann of Michigan, his father-in-law, William Sheehan Jr. of Chatham, his sister-in-law, Laurie Lundergan, his brothers-in-law, Jack and Bill Sheehan, and several nieces and nephews. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 9AM in Saint Richard Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.