Charles George Keenan

Master Chief Charles George Keenan, USNR, Retired, of Surprise Arizona, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2022 at his home in Happy Trails Resort surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of Claire Marie Little Keenan. Born in Brooklyn New York, on July 24, 1933, he was the son of the late Charles J. Keenan and Ethel V. Selleck. Keenan was raised in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Mount Saint Michael High School, Bronx, NY. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, served 7 years active duty, transitioned to the Naval Reserves and retired after 40 years of Naval Service. He served significant tours of duty on the USS Bennington (CV-20), USS Fulton (AS-11), USS Purdy (DD-734), USS Meadowlark (AMS-196), USS Wrangell (AE-12). Upon release from active duty in 1958, like his father, he joined the New York City Police Department. His assignments included Manhattan Youth Squad, the 122 and 120 Precinct, Staten Island, where he served as a Homicide Detective. Retiring from the NYPD in 1973 he relocated his family to Phoenix, Arizona.

With his experience as a Naval Hospital Corpsman, Keenan was instrumental developing the Pre-Hospital Fire Science/Life Support Training Program at Phoenix Community College. Over the course of 15 years, functioning as the Program Director, he trained more than 10,000 Firemen, Paramedics, and Ambulance Drivers in Emergency Medical Medicine.

Throughout his careers as a NYPD Detective and College Professor he continued to serve the country that he loved so much as a Naval Reservist. With 40 years of Naval Service, he retired as the Command Master Chief of the Phoenix Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center in 1991- an honor he truly cherished throughout his life.

Following his retirement from his multiple careers, he enjoyed spending time with his family, RVing, golfing, fishing and taking cruises with his beloved bride Claire.

In addition to his wife Claire of 64 years, he is survived by his two sons, Charles and his wife Tammy, of Las Vegas, NV, John and his wife Robbie of San Diego, CA, daughters Theresa her husband Richard Wilson of Avondale, AZ, Margaret and her husband Michael Planeta of Surprise, AZ, Kathleen and her husband Robert Ferrar of Coronado, CA. and Christine and her husband Marcos Silva of Gilbert, AZ. Keenan was also blessed with 16 grandchildren (Mary Kate, Colleen, Mikey, Claire, Katie, Bobby, Timmy, Danielle, Richard, Meghan, Antonio, Marisol, Robert, Joseph, Jennifer and Katherine) 4 great grandchildren (Addison, Charlotte, Rayleigh, Greysen and Sofia). He was also the brother of Ethel Keenan of Phoenix, AZ who survives him. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Surprise, AZ,

where he was a faithful parishioner, on Tuesday March 1, 2022 at 10:00 am. Calling hours are from 5-7pm on February 28, 2022 at the Surprise Funeral Home, Surprise, AZ. In lieu of gifts or flowers donations can be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

Master Chief Keenan’s final request is that all Service Members, Firemen, and Police Officers, retired or currently serving attend his funeral in Dress Uniform of the Day.