John C. Keen

John (Jack) Charles Keen, 94, of Storrs, CT passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Living Center on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, on his wedding anniversary. Jack was born January 31, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA to John and Anna (Johnson) Keen and resided in the greater Philadelphia area for most of his life. Jack was employed by the Nice Ball Bearing Company for nearly fifty years. He worked there as a teenager before entering the Army during World War II, serving his country honorably in the Pacific Theater. Shortly after the war ended, he returned to Philadelphia and his job at Nice Ball Bearings. He successfully ascended to plant manager, running all three shifts of production. Jack was also very active in Roosevelt Tennis Club, where he was a member for most of his adult life. He was an avid golfer, skier and tennis player. Either at work or at play, Jack was always kind, generous, gracious, and full of energy and a sense of humor. Jack was very well liked by all who knew him. Jack was the loving husband of Mary E. Keen of Storrs, CT. He was the Stepdad of eight children; Francis X. Cronin and his wife Annie of Nashville, TN; Keith P. Cronin, deceased; Stephen G. Cronin of Columbia, CT; Shawn M. Cronin and his wife Marilda of Dansville, NY; Robert W. Cronin of Storrs, CT; Kathleen M. Smith of Missouri City, TX; Mary Dillon and her husband Matt of Willimantic, CT; and Thomas F. Cronin and his wife Anita of Storrs, CT. Jack is also survived by twenty-six step-grandkids and nine step-great-grandkids. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Church at 1600 Main Street in Coventry, CT, burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery of Coventry. There are no public calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Living Center at 14 Club Road in Windham, CT 06280.