Obituary of Thomas M. O'Keefe

Thomas M. O'Keefe Thomas M. O'Keefe of 1401 W. Henley St. in Olean, NY died Sunday (September 8, 2002) in the Olean General Hospital after a long illness. Born March 1, 1921 in Olean, NY he was the son of Thomas M. and Lura Wilcox O'Keefe, Sr. On May 22, 1948 in St. John's Church in Olean he married Marianne F. Dorson who survives. Mr. O'Keefe was a graduate of St. Mary's Parochial School and of Olean High School. A lifelong resident of Olean, he was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, having served as a staff sergeant during WWII. He had been employed by Clark Bros., later Dresser Clark for 35 years until his retirement in 1983. He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #338 of Olean and the Olean American Legion. Mr. O'Keefe's life revolved around his home, his family and his church. Surviving besides his wife are 1 daughter Lauren (Douglas) Gewand of Olean; 2 sons Blair (Mary) O'Keefe of Novato, Ca. and Steven (Karen) O'Keefe of Liverpool, NY; 5 grandchildren Anne Gewand, Stephen Gewand, Alex O'Keefe, Matthew O'Keefe and Michael O'Keefe; 3 brothers Harold (Patricia) O'Keefe of Olean, James (Shirley) O'Keefe of San Antonio, Tx and Ronald (Penny) O'Keefe of Olean; 1 sister Mary Rothrock of Olean and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 1 brother Francis Keefe and 3 sisters Geraldine Keefe, Loretta Gorton and Ellen Steiger. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean where a prayer service will be held Wednesday (September 11, 2002) at 10:00am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30am in St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Mary of the Angels Church.