Edward J. Keenan

Edward J. Keenan, son of Charles and Helen (Gleason) of Fairmount, Philadelphia, PA, died Saturday March 8, 2024, peacefully with his sons nearby. Ed was born September 13, 1935, the youngest of 6 Keenans. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Charles, Joseph, Thomas, James, and his sister Helen. He is also preceded in death by his wife Catherine (McLaughlin, d. 2005.) Ed is survived by his sons Brendan, Emmett (Nancy), and Colin, and his grandchildren Quinn, Róisín, Kai, Maia, and Myles. Ed is also survived by a large extended family of nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and beyond, with whom he has remained close over his years. A proud son of the Philadelphia neighborhood of Fairmount, Ed attended elementary school at St. Francis Xavier, and then high school at Roman Catholic High School, graduating with the class of 1954. After his early formative years in the city, Ed elected to join the US Army in 1957 and was stationed in Kansas for two years of military service. Following his return to Philadelphia, Ed next heard his calling taking him to Maryknoll College in Ossining, NY, where he majored in religious studies and trained for the priesthood and missionary work. Ed graduated in 1963 but chose to step away from the path to priesthood and return to the Philadelphia area, seeking another journey of service for himself. Ed’s experiences and interactions in Kansas and New York sparked an interest in supporting people, with special attention paid to social justice issues and recognizing the needs of some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. During those early working years, he completed a Masters in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. Thus began a remarkable 35+ year social work career, where he excelled in various capacities spanning direct social work roles to administrative leadership positions, and culminating in a 27-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Montogomery County, PA, that continued until his retirement in 2000. It was during this early time in Ed’s work career that he met his wife Catherine “Missy” McLaughlin of Germantown; they were married in 1967. They raised their family in the Frankford neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, where Cathy and Ed were active members of their church at St. Joachim. They remained together until Cathy’s passing in 2005. She was the love of his life. Ed’s retirement years were notable for the continuation of his commitment to serving people. Soon after his departure from his work with older adults, he partnered with his high school alma mater Roman Catholic, designing a program to link students completing their community service requirements with Roman Catholic graduates living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the Philadelphia area. The ASIST (Alumni-Student 2 / 2 Intergenerational Support Team) Program has spanned 25 years, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of Roman students and alumni along the way. His legacy as a proud graduate but also as a daily support to the students at Broad and Vine Sts. today is recognized by many at the school as a significant and valuable asset to the Cahilite Community. Ed’s family and friends remember him as warm and generous in all interactions with others, and just as passionate about his care for people as his beloved Philadelphia Phillies. Many remember Ed as the person who would look a person in the eye, firmly shake their hand or give them a warm hug, and then ask them directly, but sensitively, how they were doing. Ed was a mentor for many in their pursuit of higher education and careers in helping professions, but also an endearing positive influence on everyone he encountered because of his wonderful use of humor and his keen empathetic approach. He loved a well-poured Guiness in a cozy Irish bar, but more importantly he immensely enjoyed time well-spent with family and friends for a meal and a chat about how they were. Ed Keenan is missed dearly by a large but close-knit extended family and network of friends he has known over his 89 years. Friends and family are invited to his funeral mass Tuesday March 18, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Fairmount at 10 AM. There will be a viewing on Monday evening, March 17, 2025 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM and Tuesday morning from 8 AM - 9:30 AM at Shelly-Dinan funeral home, 1923 Spring Garden St. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Roman Catholic High School 301 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Attn: Mission Advancement Memo line: Roman Fund-Ed Keenan Memorial https://www.romancatholichs.com/giving/roman-fund

Edward J. Keenan

September 13, 1935 - March 8, 2025

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Edward J. Keenan

September 13, 1935 - March 8, 2025

About Us

What We Do

Grief & Healing

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Obituaries

Plan Ahead

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365 Days of Grief Support