C. Robert O’Keefe, Jr. Obituary, Death – On Friday, February 17, 2023, Dr. C. Robert O’Keefe, Jr., age 89, of Cranston, Rhode Island, and formerly of Swampscott and Beverly, softly passed away at home with his family by his side. He was the husband of the late Barbara A. (Jacobs) O’Keefe.
He was born in New York, New York, in 1933, the son of the late Charles and Ursula (Ellis) O’Keefe. He was bred, educated, and attended Swampscott High School there. He was admitted to the Swampscott High School Sports Hall of Fame for his participation in the 1949 State Championship Baseball team. After that, he received both his bachelor’s degree from Boston College and his PhD from Temple University.
During the Korean War, he proudly served in the American Army. Bob was active in his field of business and held the positions of State President and Treasurer for a long time. He worked as the Acting Chief at Boston Medical Center and the Chief of Podiatric Medical Services at Malden Hospital while a member of the Evans Medical Group.
Throughout his protracted career, he worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Boston City Hospital, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. His offices were located in Swampscott, South Boston, and Malden. Some of Bob’s fondest days were spent playing bridge and golf, as well as in Naples, Florida, where he lived, as well as in Cranston, Rhode Island. For almost 50 years, Bob played golf at Gannon Golf Course.
He was a founding member of the Swampscott chapter of the Knights of Columbus. His loyal children Helen Papele and her husband Chuck of Swampscott, Robin McLaughlin and her husband William of Norton, and Michael O’Keefe and his wife Donna of Cranston, Rhode Island, along with their mother Diane O’Keefe, are left to carry on his legacy. His grandkids Ashley O’Keefe and her husband Christopher Munoz, Daniel O’Keefe, and Michael Patrick O’Keefe are also still alive. His sister Ursula O’Keefe, his great-grandchildren Clara, Lucas, and Margaret, as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, family members, and close friends. Katherine and Nicholas Papele. He was the late brother of Philip O’Keefe.