Paul R. O'Keeffe

Paul R. O'Keeffe of Needham, 74, passed away peacefully at home on February 2, 2023 after fighting cancer but never losing his sense of humor and positive outlook on life.

Born December 1, 1948, Paul was the youngest of six children born to Thomas and Mary (Crowley) O'Keeffe and was raised in West Roxbury. He was a proud graduate of Boston Latin School, UMASS Amherst, and the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He met his wife, Kathleen, at age 17, and they were married in 1970. After moves to New Hampshire, Michigan, and Maryland in the first ten years of marriage, they settled with their family in Needham, where they have lived for more than 40 years.

Paul always reminded himself and his children to "count their blessings" and he had a gift for appreciating the little things in life. He and Kathy enjoyed countless happy times with their children and grandchildren at their vacation home in Dennisport, and Paul loved nothing more than early walks with the dogs and late afternoons on the West Dennis beach, followed by a cold beer and dinner with his loved ones.  

Paul was the beloved husband of his wife Kathleen (Kane) O'Keeffe and father to Paul O'Keeffe Jr. of Albany, NY, Brian O'Keeffe and his wife Jessica of Brookline, MA, and Kate O'Keeffe and her husband Timothy Charest of Charlestown, MA.  He was a proud "Da" to his five grandchildren, Aidan, Evelyn, Alessandra, Finn, and Jake. He is survived by his sisters, Mary (O'Keeffe) Sealy and Kathleen (O'Keeffe) Skelly, his brother John O'Keeffe and wife Celia, and many nieces, nephews, and friends from all phases of his life.  He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Thomas A. O'Keeffe, Jr. and Richard O'Keeffe.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, from 4:00-7:00 pm on Friday February 10th. A mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave, Needham, in Saturday, February 11th at 10:00am. 

 Paul had enormous gratitude for the care he received in the last two years at Dana Farber. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the Jimmy Fund (www.jimmyfund.org).

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