Jack (John) Keenan of Warwick, RI: The world lost a great man on Sunday, April 24th after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. By his side was his close-knit family who loved him deeply. His best friend and wife of 55 years, Judy, his son Mike Keenan (Michelle) of Georgetown, MA, and daughters Heather Keenan Tunnicliffe (Michael) of Concord, MA and Kara Keenan (Brian Rodman) of West Roxbury, MA.
His grandchildren adored their engaged and playful Grampy. His spirit lives on in Ryan and Elizabeth Keenan; Graham and Owen Keenan Tunnicliffe; Caroline and the late Julia Rodman. Jack was born in 1939 in Niantic, CT to the late Mary (Collins) Keenan and John Peter Keenan. He leaves his brother, Brian Keenan (Kathy) of Venice, FL and was predeceased by his sister, Betsy Howard, of West Warwick, RI. He loved and was proud of his nieces and nephews and had many lifelong friends who became family.
Jack spent the later half of his childhood in Hammonton, NJ where he graduated from Hammonton High School. He enjoyed telling his children how he was the leading point scorer for the high school basketball team while wearing his white Converse All Stars. He attended Rutgers University and the University of Rhode Island where he received an MBA.
Jack often wore his trademark Nantucket Red sweatshirts and loved newspapers, black coffee, strawberry ice cream, and watching sports. He had a green thumb, enjoyed feeling the sun on his face, and loved talking with people. Jack was inquisitive and introspective; he loved to ponder the big questions in life. He took every opportunity he had to praise his family and say, “I love you.”
A natural storyteller who could laugh at himself, he taught his children to appreciate humor, especially during difficult times. He laughed until he cried recounting tales of family adventures and misadventures.
Jack and Judy were traveling grandparents who thought nothing of journeying hundreds or thousands of miles if it meant seeing their kids or grandkids. When they stepped in as temporary childcare for a few months, Jack proudly referred to himself and Judy as not the “Au Pairs” but the “Old Pair.”
As he did with all of his grandchildren, he adored his late granddaughter, Julia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Julia Rodman Memorial Fund at Energy Credit Union, 156 Spring Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132.
All who would like to pay their respect and share memories are invited to join the family at Jack’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at Finn’s Harborside, 38 Water St, East Greenwich, RI. Burial will be private. Arrangements entrusted to the Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, West Warwick, RI. carpenterjenks.com
