John J. O'Keefe Jr.

LYNN – John “Jack” Joseph O’Keefe, Jr., 63, a lifelong resident of Lynn, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, September 14, 2018 after a long illness. He was the devoted husband of Lisa D. (Wurdeman) O’Keefe with whom he shared 33 years of marriage. Born in Lynn, John was the beloved son of the late John and Doris (Hogan) O’Keefe and the son-in-law of the late Dorothy and Edgar Wurdeman.

Jack was the proud and loving father of Kirsten and Michelle O’Keefe, of Lynn; the dear brother of Sharon Solazzo and her husband, Frank, of Peabody, Linda Bell of Boxford and her late husband, Steve, and Julie O’Keefe of Marblehead; uncle to Mark O’Keefe, Jaime Garofalo, and great nephew Ethan Garofalo as well as many other nephews and nieces. Most people get a few good friends within their lifetime but Jack’s group of friends were his second family. He also had a special love for his 4 legged companion, Chewy with whom he took everywhere.

Jack graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Lynn with the Class of ’73 and worked as a court officer at Lynn District Court for 33 years until his retirement. In his youth he could always be found playing sports down at Gallagher playground with all of his forever friends from Pine Hill. Although he was an avid sports fan of all Boston teams, Patriots games were never missed. Sunday’s were for football and “halftime Jack”. He never missed an event that involved his daughters, from softball games and cheerleading to dance recitals and coaching T-ball. Since a teenager, his happiest times were spent camping at Dolly Copp and sitting down by the rivers in the White Mountains especially Jack Rock with his closest family and friends; a tradition he passed on to share with Lisa and the girls.

The family would like to express how they never would been able to keep Jack at home if it weren’t for the devoted care from Katie and Hillary of Care Dimensions; never forgetting his other two loving caregivers Connie Sakellson and Peggy Cassidy. They would also like to mention how amazing of a friend Scott Mitchell had been to him throughout his life but most especially these past couple years.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 20th, from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. Lynn. A Celebration of Jack’s Life will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be designated for Patient Care at Care Dimensions, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923 or via website listed below: