Henry Joseph O'Keeffe

Obituary

Henry J. O'Keeffe age 88 of Savannah passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Spanish Oaks Retreat after a long illness. He was lovingly cared for by his wife of 27 years, Pamela O'Keeffe. Hank was predeceased by his first wife, Bonnie, mother of his six children and his brother, Timothy.

Born December 12, 1923, Hank graduated from Malverne High School , Long Island , NY in 1941. He attended Canisius College ( Buffalo , NY.) on a basketball scholarship. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corp, was enrolled in the Naval Midshipman School at Rensellear Poly Tech and was named to the Sporting News All American Basketball team for 1944-45. After being discharged in 1946, Hank returned to Canisius to complete his degree before spending two tears with the Syracuse Nationals. Following his career with the Syracuse Nationals, Hank became a successful insurance agent and opened H.J. O'Keeffe & Co. Insurance Agency in the Statler Hilton, Buffalo , NY . In 1948, Hank moved to Sarasota , FL. where he continued in insurance for a few years, but retired to become a successful realtor for Oaks Realty and Osprey Land Co. until he completely retired and moved to Savannah in 2005.

Hank is survived by his wife Pamela O'Keeffe, and six children; Brian (Nola), Mary Diane (Ron), Kevin, Neil ( Elizabeth ), Carole (Tim) and Susan (John); seven grandchildren, one sister-in-law, and four nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be conducted in Savannah at the end of January .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home, Reidsville Chapel an honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care is serving the O'Keeffe family.