James Joseph Mckeon

James Joseph McKeon, 94, of Woodchip Square, North Attleboro, died on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Gertrude Trudy M. (Stone) McKeon to whom he was married on March 13, 1981 and was the husband of the late Yvonne (Babineau) McKeon. Born in Lisburn, County Antrim, Ireland, on February 2, 1917, he was a son of the late William James and Jane (Thompson) McKeon. Upon immigrating to the United States with his parents and sister at the age of three, he settled in North Attleboro with his family. He remained a proud townie for more than 90 years. Mr. McKeon was a 1935 graduate of North Attleboro High School. Living in Attleboro Falls in his youth, he often recounted stories of his early years with great fondness and detail. Following high school, Mr. McKeon worked for the Town of North Attleboro prior to enlisting in the United States Navy and serving with the Seabees in the Philippine Islands from July 30, 1943 until his honorable discharge in December 1945. Upon his return from World War II, Mr. McKeon was employed by the former Walsh & Babineau Construction Company. While in the construction business years ago, Mr. McKeon donated much of his time off as a bulldozer operator during the construction of the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Attleboro. In 1954 he returned to work for the Town of North Attleboro as the Superintendent of Streets and served in that capacity for decades until his retirement in December 1978. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in North Attleboro. Proud of his military service, he was a member and former vice commander of the former AmVets Post in North Attleboro. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus - #303, North Attleboro. Mr. McKeon loved North Attleboro and enjoyed reminiscing of years past and the changes he observed over nine decades. Traveling, especially cruises, and dining out were among his favorite pastimes and he was an ardent sports fan with a special love for the Boston Red Sox and was an original season ticket holder of the then Boston Patriots. In addition to his wife of 30 years, he leaves a son: Robert J. McKeon and his wife, Lorna M. (Myers) McKeon, of North Attleboro; a daughter: Sandra A. Gorman and her husband, Phillip Gorman, of Bradenton, Florida; a stepdaughter: Brenda Grahn and her husband, William Grahn, of South Attleboro; four grandchildren: Kevin J. McKeon and his wife, Shannon (Carroll) McKeon, of North Attleboro; Stephanie Gorman of Scottsdale, Arizona; Sean R. McKeon and his wife, Michelle (Vandette) McKeon, of North Attleboro and Jeffrey Provost and his wife, Kristin (Fisher) Provost, of Marlborough; 8 great grandchildren; a sister: Martha Henault of Attleboro and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He was the brother of the late William McKeon and Kathleen Poirier. Private visitation with Veterans Honors will be held in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. A private funeral service with Veterans Honors will be held in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Private burial with military honors will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. McKeons name may be made to the North Attleboro Animal Shelter, 43 South Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.