Harry Patrick Keeley

Harry was born (May 2, 1921) and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He graduated from The University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.

He married Roberta Luckow (Bobsie) on September 16, 1947; they were married for 45 years until Bobsie died in 1992.

After Bobsie’s early death, Harry became a lifetime companion and friend to Jodie Franche (August 10, 1922-January 1, 2012). Both were cared for lovingly by Jodie’s eldest son, Frances John Leahy, until the very end.

Harry was Vice-President at Kelso-Burnett Company, one of the oldest electrical contractors in Chicago. He retired and moved the family to Boca Raton, Florida in 1980.

Harry will be remembered as a proud and exemplary American. He served his country honorably in the Army during World War II.

In 1959, he was elected the first president of the Village of Kildeer, Lake County, Illinois, an area incorporated by local residents full of strong community spirit wishing to enjoy a rural life free from expansionism. To this day, Kildeer offers open space and a self-sufficient private life style, much like that sought by Harry and Bobsie and other original settlers of the area.

He is survived by his three devoted children and a granddaughter: Robert Sydney Keeley of Oakland Park, Florida and his wife Jan; Kim Keeley Zuccarello of Boca Raton, Florida and her husband Mark; Jacquelyn Keeley of Boca Raton, Florida; and precious granddaughter Felicity Noel Keeley of Boca Raton, Florida.

Also, surviving are Harry’s sister, Elaine Keeley of Batavia, Illinois, six nieces and nephews and many friends.

Harry will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his inner resolve, strength of character and sense of humor.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 12 pm, May 26 at Babione Funeral Home, Boca Raton, Florida. Well-wishers and friends should, please, arrive by 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Harry be remembered by a kind gift to the Animal Liberation Fund (http://www.fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/alf.html) and/or Hospice of Palm Beach County (http://hpbc.com/).

Babione Funeral Home

1100 North Federal Highway

Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-395-8787