William "Bill" O'Keefe

William H. "Bill" O'Keefe, age 82, of Mansfield, CT died on October 30, 2015, at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. The husband of Caryl (Jena) O'Keefe, he was born in Port Chester, New York, on February 9, 1933, to Ellen (Johnson) and Wilfred O'Keefe. Bill moved to Fitchburg, MA, at a very early age. He was a 1951 graduate of Fitchburg High School where he was a member of the Varsity Football, and Track and Field teams. From 1951 to 1955 he served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp. Bill earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Degrees at Oklahoma University, and he earned a Master of Science in Teaching Science at Indiana University. Bill was a 39-year member of the Edwin O. Smith High School faculty where he taught science and mathematics. He also served as Athletic Director, cross-country and track and field coach. He was class advisor to several classes and an advisor to the E. O. Smith Ski Club. During his early teaching years, he served for several summers as Director of the Windham County 4-H Camp. In an active retirement, Bill was employed by the UConn Neag School of Education as supervisor of student interns and he officiated at E.O. Smith Cross Country, and Track and Field meets. He also enjoyed being an active volunteer for many local organizations including the Windham Habitat for Humanity and Joshua's Trust, as well as continuing with the E.O. Smith Ski Club. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by five sons: Todd and his wife Susan of Storrs, Kevin and his wife Kathleen of New York City, Jay and his wife Kim of Mansfield, Neal of Vernon, and Dean and his wife Candace of West Newbury, MA. He was predeceased by his sister Margaret Aho of Fitchburg, MA. He also leaves his grandchildren, Shaughn O'Keefe and his wife Melissa, Ryan O'Keefe, Keeley O'Keefe, Siobhan O'Keefe, Seamus O'Keefe, Christina O'Keefe, Ava O'Keefe, Will O'Keefe and great-grand child, Darold O'Keefe. He is also survived by step-grandchildren Benjamin Gray, Joshua Gray and his wife Carrie and step-great-grandchildren Ashley and Jacob Gray. He is survived by his niece Patricia Raymond, nephews Garry Aho and Brian Aho, as well as their families in MA. Donations in Bill O'Keefe's name can be made to the Edwin O. Smith Foundation. Please make reference to the "Bill O'Keefe Athletic Fund" on checks and online donations. Checks can be mailed to: Edwin O. Smith Foundation, P. O. Box 39, Storrs, CT 06268-0039. Online donations can be made at http://eosmithfoundation.org . Calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT 06226 on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at St. Thomas Aquinas (located at UCONN), 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06268. Memories can be shared online by visiting www.potterfuneralhome.com