~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, NEA/DL Capt. Francis ‘Frank’ E.
Keefe
May 25, 1928 ~ January 16, 2019
News has reached our group with the passing of retired
Northeast/Delta pilot Captain Frank Keefe, age 90. Captain Keefe joined
Northeast Airlines 06-11-1953 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based Boston.
Widowed in December 2008 with the passing of his wife Joan, Captain Keefe is
survived by their children, their grandchildren and a great granddaughter, plus
many other family members and close friends.
To view the obituary online and share memories, please visit
the funeral home site at
Calling hours are Jan. 22nd from 4-7 PM, Lambert Funeral Home
in Manchester NH.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Jan. 23rd at St.
Catherine of Siena Church, Manchester NH.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary ................ Francis E. "Frank" Keefe of
Manchester died peacefully at home on January 16, 2019 after a period of failing
health.
Born in Manchester on May 25, 1928, he was the son of Frank
and Anna (Norris) Keefe. He was predeceased by his brother, John Vincent Keefe.
He was a lifelong resident of Manchester.
He attended Bakersville School, class of 1942, and graduated
from Manchester Central High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy from
1946 to 1948 aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV 45) on which he traveled around the
world.
From 1950 to 1953 he attended flight schools in New Hampshire,
Vermont and New York. He became a pilot for Northeast Airlines in 1953. From
1953 to 1988 he flew for both Northeast Airlines and Delta Airlines flying both
domestic and European routes.
Captain Keefe joined Northeast on 06/11/1953 and retired in
November 1984.
Frank married Joan Mendzela of Manchester on April 24, 1954.
They spent 54 years together until her passing in 2008.
During his life he maintained a close relationship with his
classmates from grammar school and high school.
Beginning in 1980, he made his annual trip to Ireland and had
many friends in the area of Millstreet Town, County Cork, where his grandparents
had lived. He managed to go to the Knock Shrine in County Mayo on every visit.
His favorite location of all was Slea Head in Dingle, County Kerry. He had many
wonderful memories of his travels through Ireland.
He followed Trinity High School basketball in his later years
where his son David coached and his grandson Patrick played. He enjoyed trips to
Foxwoods with the guys and looked forward to a slice of key lime pie at his
favorite restaurant at the casino where he also had the opportunity to see a
performance by his favorite singer, Diana Krall.
Frank was a member and supporter of the Irish American
Partnership, the NH Aviation Historical Society and the Manchester Historic
Association. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Parish throughout his adult
life.
Although his work took him far away, his family always came
first. They meant the world to him.
Family members include five children, Lt. Col. Daniel Keefe,
USAF (retired) of Oklahoma City, OK, Donna Shannon and her husband, David, of
Barrington, Marcia Keefe and her husband, Glenn Charette, of Saco, ME, David
Keefe and his wife, Donna, of Manchester and Paul Keefe of Weymouth, MA. His
grandchildren, who held a special place in his heart, include Timothy Shannon of
Manchester, Megan Shannon, Esq. of Philadelphia, PA, Ryan Mesick of Milford,
Kevin Mesick of Saco, ME, Erin Keefe of Denver, CO, Patrick Keefe of Manchester
and Emily Keefe and Molly Keefe both of Somerville, MA; a great granddaughter,
Kaylee Mesick of Milford; his nephews and nieces from the west coast; his
cousins; and his special group of friends from the Elliot at River's Edge
exercise group.
The family wishes to thank the VNA of Manchester and hospice
nurse Nancy for their support and extraordinary care.
SERVICES: Calling hours are Tuesday (Jan. 22) from 4 to 7 p.m.
at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street,
Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday (Jan. 23) at
10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 267 Webster St., Manchester. Committal
prayers will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 488 Donald St., Bedford.
Lambert Funeral Home , 1799 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104 ....
603-625-6951
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