Philip M. Keenan

Philip Michael Keenan of West Hartford, CT, died on January 23, 2021 with his wife, Barbara by his side. Philip was 80 years old.  Philip was born on December 25, 1940 to John and Dorothy (Barton) Keenan of West Hartford, CT.

Philip grew up with brothers Tom and Jack in a wonderful neighborhood of friends and family.  Philip attended local schools in West Hartford and graduated from William H. Hall High School. He went on to earn his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.  After graduating, Philip worked as an engineer for American Cyanamid working in both Stamford and Wallingford, CT.

With a true passion for engineering and desire to continue his formal education, Philip went on to earn a B.S in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hartford, and a M.S. in Engineering Science from Rensselaer.  Philip worked in the Plating Division at Colts Firearms in Hartford, CT, and was a member of The American Electroplaters Society.  Philip eventually went on to work for Atlantic Ventilating & Equipment Company in Cromwell, CT until his retirement.

In his 20s, Philip met his beautiful wife, Barbara.  They married in 1968 in Easthampton, MA and walked side by side for 52 years.

Philip had a wonderfully active mind and an amazing memory for names and faces.  He loved meeting new people, exchanging ideas, and just shooting the “bull.” Philip’s technical skills were often called upon to assist family, friends and neighbors to solve various problems.  Phil was truly a “hands on” engineer who thoroughly enjoyed solving problems and improving how things functioned and performed.

Philip had many activities and hobbies in his life from building his own boat and water skiing in his younger years, to spending many enjoyable hours sailing and listening to the ocean with his family on Long Island Sound. Philip simply loved the ocean. He and Barbara especially enjoyed walks on the beaches in Nantucket.

Philip loved all animals, but he adored a special Springer Spaniel named Dottie.  She was his constant companion during the early days of his retirement.

Philip loved his family and he and Barbara spent many wonderful holidays with son Chris and his wife Alexis and his grandsons Alexander and Aaron.  Philip especially loved reading to his grandchildren and watching them build their LEGO projects.  A good day swimming with Chris’s family at their home was a good memory for Philip. 

Philip and Chris had many father son memories from early Saturday morning rituals which began with breakfast out together, followed by shooting hoops, playing catch or playing pond hockey together in the winter.  Philip and Chris particularly enjoyed feeding the ducks together at Fern Park in West Hartford.  Philp and Chris would often cheer on the Hartford Whalers together from the Civic Center. They also made maple syrup together at a family home in MA where Phil would help “engineer” the process for maximum efficiency.

Philip and Barbara also enjoyed many good times with his brothers Tom and Jack and Barbara’s brothers Ken and Keith and their respective families.

Philip is predeceased by his parents John and Dorothy Keenan, and a nephew Michael Keenan.  He leaves his wife, Barbara C. Keenan, son Christopher and wife Alexis and grandsons Alexander and Aaron; brother Tom and wife Barbara Keenan and brother Jack and wife AnnMary Keenan. 

Philip had many wonderful nieces and nephews and enjoyed spending time with them and their families. Niece Martha and husband Rich Raymond, nephew Matthew Keenan and wife Stacey, nephew Sean Keenan and wife Becky, niece Elizabeth Kehn and husband Jason, niece Katherine Keenan, nephew Jeffrey Cernak and wife Christine, nieces Jennifer Cernak and Melanie Cernak and Emily and husband George Yousling.  He also leaves brothers-in-law, Ken and Keith Cernak and sisters-in- law, MaryAnn and Kristin Cernak and dear friend Dante Llacuna.

Philip lived a good life surrounded by family who loved him, good friends and neighbors, and he always appreciated them all.  He will be greatly missed by ALL.  May God Bless Him.

A private service was held for the family on February 4, 2021. A memorial service is planned for a later date.  Donations in Philip’s name may be sent to:

 The Worcester Public Library Dept of Audio Books for the Sight Impaired

3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 799-1730. |

Email: talkbook@mywpl.org

            www.talkingbook.mywpl.org

OR

The Perkins School for the Blind

175 N Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Phone: (617) 924-3434

Email:

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