Owen V. Keenan, 98, of Glenview was born December 26, 1922 in Chicago to Thomas and Elizabeth (McGeeney) Keenan and passed away November 17, 2021. Owen was the beloved husband of the late Lottie T. (Lee) (Siwicki) Keenan; loving father of Owen V. (Karen) Keenan Jr., Kathleen Keenan, Karen (David) Gorman, and the late Kevin (Donna) Keenan; cherished grandfather of 8, and preceded in death by 6 brothers and sisters.
Owen was a simple man; as a child of the Depression, he didn’t need much to be content. He was resilient, humble, and thrifty. Raised by his single mother, he learned how to survive and care for a family from her strength and example.
He was a veteran, enlisting in the Air Force at 18 and building planes throughout World War II. It was a good fit for him, as he was whip sharp and handy with anything mechanical.
After he convinced Lee to date him, meeting by happenstance at a dance in Chicago, he designed and built his own home in Glenview with land, animals, and love for their children. He started his own company, which he and Lee ran together: Keenan Water and Sewer. The street, “Keenan Lane,” in Glenview remains as a testament to his work. Much of the water and sewer lines in the area and surrounding suburbs were built by him, his brothers, and their children. Owen was one of the hardest workers you’d ever meet; he continued to work well into his 80s.
His defining characteristic was his devotion to his family members; when Lee fell ill in the 1970s, his purpose became caring for her. He was steadfastly there for the ones who needed him the most, thinking of others before himself.
Owen truly left a legacy after being on this earth, as he would say, “almost into his 100th year.” He will be remembered for taking his kids to church and breakfast every Sunday, and the big brunches with his grandchildren and extended family that followed. For his crew of McDonalds buddies, who affectionately and inexplicably knew him as “Sam.” For his enormous collection of tomato plants, his pigeons, and his quiet humor.
Visitation will be Friday, November 26, 2021 from 9:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. James Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Interment will follow at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles. For funeral information call 847-253-5423 or visit lauterburgoehler.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Multiple Sclerosis:
https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/Donation2?df_id=55995&55995.donation=form1
Juvenile Diabetes:
https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=1851756846&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T&2374.donation=form1
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