Lawrence Hugh Keon

Lawrence H. Keon (Larry) of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, born June 22, 1932, in Verplanck, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2024. He was 92 years old. The fourth of 10 children born to Margaret (McKeever) and Edward Keon of Verplanck. Mr. Keon was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Rose Ellen Kleinert (Jim), Joan Canestra (Dom), Miriam Staten (Jim), and Margaret Krachy (Charley), his brothers, Edward (Millie) Keon and Dennis Keon as well as his wife of 64 years, Mary Lou Rizzuto Keon. He is survived by his brothers Daniel Keon (Francine) and Thomas Keon (Sue), his sister, Patricia Vitolo (Bob) and his seven children: Mary Louise Keon, Lawrence E. Keon (Jennifer), Eileen Keon, Alexis Watterson (Dave), Martha Keon (Hal Cole), Brian Keon (Renee) and Katy Galle (Brad), as well as 13 Grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Keon was a graduate of Hendrick Hudson High School and Manhattan College, where he majored in Chemistry and worked summers as a Journeyman Bricklayer with his father. He married his wife, Mary Lou Rizzuto, of Peekskill, NY April, 1954. He served in the Army reserves from August 1954 to August 1962, which included roles as a Drill Sergeant in Virginia, and assignments in Kaiserslautern, Germany and at the 945th QM Petroleum Production Laboratory in Poughkeepsie, NY. He began his career as a chemist with Texaco Inc., researching petroleum additives, and then transitioned to a sales role, covering Southeast Asia. He commuted to his office at the Chrysler Building in Manhattan and loved playing cards on the train, before Texaco moved to Harrison. Throughout his over 35 years with Texaco, he was known for his integrity, tireless work ethic and love for international travel. He was a consummate New York City tour guide when entertaining clients in New York.

Mr. Keon was a long-time resident of Croton-on-Hudson, actively engaged in volunteering in his community where he coached flag football, visited Veterans at the Montrose V.A, delivered Turkeys and drove seniors to appointments for the Croton Caring Committee. He was a congregant of Holy Name of Mary Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was proud of his Irish heritage and planned many St. Patrick’s Day parties at the church hall.

As children, he took us ice-skating at Teatown and Lake Meahagh, swimming at Silver Lake, and tobogganing down the rolling hills at Croton Dam. He always managed 2 (and sometimes 4) week summer camping trips to Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod where he was the lead cook. We spent our days swimming in the lakes, catching frogs and turtles, fishing and playing pick-up softball. He also enjoyed Nauset Beach where he loved to body surf and boogie board. He constantly puttered around our old stone house where something was always in need of repair and renovation, even learning how to make stained glass to fix our windows. He loved woodworking, gardening, reading, watching football, playing softball, jogging and strolling along the riverwalk at Senasqua Park with our adopted dog, Hudson. In his last years he received loving care at Artis in Briarcliff and at the New York State Home for Veterans in Montrose.

We are forever grateful to our father for his love and devotion to our mother and to our family. He was a wonderful, fun-loving and thoughtful parent who educated and inspired us, and always put family first. We will miss him very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Croton Caring Committee, Inc. (crotoncaring.org), in Larry’s name. Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Monday, November 18th at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 41 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, November 19th at Holy Name of Mary Church, 110 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY with burial to follow at Bethel Cemetery also in Croton-on-Hudson.