So many memories - too many to list. Pam, we hope you & your family are doing well. We think of you often.

Coach Keehn at a St Eugene’s Class of 75 get together in 2022. We will miss you Coach! Rest in Peace 💜🤍

Coach Chambers and Coach Keehn with  Paula, Danny and Lori, St Eugene class of 75

Thinking of you and your family, Pam. My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear husband.

Coach Keehn started his career at St. Eugene's Grammar School as our PE teacher/coach, but he was so much more than that.  He was a mentor.  He truly made an impact on my life.  My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his loved ones.  A great light has been extinguished.
RIP Coach Keehn.

Coach:

Thanks for your patience, understanding and guidance. You were always there to help. You were one of my teachers. Your stories were you. 

Your on the Lord’s bench now.

Michael O’Hara



Coach Keehn came to St Eugene Catholic school when I was in 6th grade.  He was probably about 23 years old.  He wasn’t only a PE teacher, basketball and track coach he was a mentor, the COOL COACH and someone we all looked up to.  Thank you for all your knowledge and confidence you instilled in many of your students. You will be remembered and missed by many.  🙏🏻

RIP Coach. I first met Coach when he teaching a gym class at Immaculate Heart of Mary grade school. Went on to play (basketball) for him my freshman year at St. Benedict’s HS; also ran track the year he coached. Other than him being a great coach and mentor. Two memories of him would probably get coaches fired in todays participation era. We had a rough game, we got back on team bus and he called a practice. Right there and than mandatory. He ran out socks off, he wasn’t upset we lost but felt we quit. The other was coming home in the school van from a track meet. He had a softball game at Portage Park. As he’s driving he’s changing into his softball gear. We went and watched the game. Lol. How many parents would allow that these days? RIP coach you deserve it!

Pam and Family, 

So sorry to learn of George’s passing.  Prayers ascending for all of you during this difficult time. 

Little Villa Restaurant 
Friends
“Coach” came into the bar once a week. Same cocktail every time.  Staff would see Coach, go out to say Hello.  He would always have a joke. 
Most were funny, but we laughed every time. He told us about his love for the Cubs.  We shared are love for the Cubs too.  I told him to write a book but he said after I retire from coaching.  We will miss his jokes and his smile the most. 
Rest in peace our friend. 
Little Villa staff and Mele Family 

Coach George Keehn taught me many lessons as my Niles College basketball coach. Discipline, teamwork, loyalty. I will miss him. May the angels lead you to heaven Coach, Rest in Peace. Tom Geary

Dear Keehn Family,
I am so sorry for your loss.  George was a wonderful person who brought laughter and light to River Trails Middle School.  He always had a joke for all of us.  Some were groaner dad jokes and some a little bit inappropriate but they always made us laugh.  I wish you peace.  May his memory be a blessing.
Nancy Wagner

Chris, I’m so sorry for you loss. Your dad was an absolutely hilarious man and we once had a lunch together with Steve Pappas and a host of coaches where your dad held court for an hour. We were all hysterical. You and yours family are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. 
Luke Yanule

George Keehn was a great man, coach, and motivator. He inspired everyone he met. With a joke and a smile he made this world a better place. 

Dan & Bess     send our deepest condolences to Pam and the entire Keehn  Family                                                                                                              

Dear Pam and Family,


In loving memory of George, a person whose kindness and
generous spirit touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
He will be so missed.

Love, 
Darline Olk  Keller Grelck

When ever  we  came back in town, we contacted George.  He always made time for us.  One of the most positive, upbeat people I've ever met.  Looked forward to seeing him.  Loved his energy and stories! So happy we saw him last October, so sad will not see him again. Deepest condolences to his family. He was a great guy.

Our family will miss Mr. Keehn's presence at all athletic events, and meets. He was such a warm, enthusiastic coach and teacher and taught all of our kids how to be better, more motivated athletes.  His stories and his words of encouragement will stay with them forever. 
Thank you Mr. Keehn for everything you've done for students at RTMS! 
We are very sorry for your family's loss. 



So sorry to hear this. Prayers to Pam & family. We are thinking of you.

My prayers are with George's wife, Pam, and his children. George Keehn had a major impact in the lives of all of us who played for him at Niles College of Loyola University. He inspired with his philosophy of "Mental Toughness.... Extra Effort". (MTXE) His love for the game was secondary to his love for his family and those of us who became his extended family. I thank God for Coach George Keehn as he opened my eyes to the impact coaching can holistically have on the people we coach. This led to my own endeavors as a coach for close to 30 years. I only pray that I had half the impact on the young men I coached that Coach Keehn had on us! The world is a much better place because George Keehn lived in it. Thanks again Coach for all you taught and did for us!!!!

Fr. Tom Walsh

i am so sorry to hear of George's death.  I went to school with him at St. Matthias Grade School. He was always great to be around. He made everyone feel welcomed and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed. He and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care. God bless.

Dear Mrs. Keehn,
Although I didn't know George for a very long time, he made a big impression on me. When George entered the room, you knew it wouldn't be long before you'd be laughing. I will truly miss his jokes and stories, how he'd go out of his way to see how you were doing,  and how he was so kind to everyone. I wish there were more people like George in this world. 
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. 

To the Keehn Family, 

It was a privilege to work alongside George at River Trails Middle School.  I have so many wonderful memories watching him teach and coach.  George was a positive influence in the lives of so many students and colleagues.  He will be missed by this community.  

Keir Rogers

Dear Pam...I am so so sorry to hear of Georges passing! I admired George because he was a no non-sense type of guy. He was always willing to be their for his classmates and friends. I know George and I did not connect much after high school, only one time at Bill Albright's home when Bill was so sick with ALS. George was so uplifting for Bill, so I knew at that point George was a great guy and cared about people. Just know you had a wonderful husband and that you will meet again in God's Kingdom!!

Pam and Family - very sorry to hear of George’s passing. Although it has been over 50 years since I saw him he obviously was a much loved and respected teacher, coach and mentor.

Very few couples can claim they were married for 50 years! 

Jim Neustadt, Madison, Wisconsin

You taught me so many things about hoops & like.  How to tell stories and a million and one jokes. I loved being with you  so sorry for your families loss. Sweat Pea…. You are one incredible person. We will miss you. God Bless you and your family ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

My condolences go out to George and his family on his passing. George was instrumental and devoted  to help developing young men on Northeastern Illinois Men's basketball team as he assisted head coach Chris Kalamantis. He was one heck of a motivator !!!. God bless him as he followed his passion in basketball as he was able to find success on the basketball court. He will be missed! I guess the Lord needed some expert coaching in heaven as March Madness reaches its National Championship game. After all it is Holy week! Sincerely, Phil Schaefer.

Mrs. Keehn, Steph, Chris, and family,
Thinking of you during this difficult time.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.


When George was born, God gave us a GIFT. And what a gift George was!
Pope Francis could have been talking about George when he wrote, “Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”
There is also another adage that describes George, “When you can’t find sunshine, be the sunshine.”
George brought joy wherever he went and how blessed we were to have him as part of our lives!

George was five years older than I, so even growing up in the same neighborhood there normally wouldn’t be much chance of our paths crossing. But around St. Ben’s, basketball was a great equalizer, and after watching many of his high school games I sometimes had the chance to match up with George on the courts at Ben’s and Coonley. He was a masterful ball handler, and had a wonderful soft touch on his signature jumper. I didn’t see much of George over the past few decades, but the few times that I did he’d flash that great smile, offer a firm hand and the years melted back to those b-ball games on familiar asphalt. Rest happily, George, and since there’s a three point line now, those points will pile up quickly on the other side.

“Auntie” Pam, Christopher, and Stephanie and the entire family that is touched by this great loss , my sincere condolences! 
I always loved “Uncle George’s” jokes and his stories when we visited in Chicago. We could always depend on his great smile and laugh! He would always speak to you as if you were the only person in the room, engaged in what you were saying! 
He was a special man for sure! 

You are all in my thoughts !
Love,
JoAnn Mortillaro Booth

Georgy Keehn, not the best, but the very best 

Georgy Keehn,  not the best, but the very best

Sweet Pea, I always enjoyed all the times we shared together.  Working with you or just hanging out was the best!!!.  So many laughs and so many conversations about life, basketball and how to motivate people.  May you carry on in heaven generating smiles and influencing extra effort!!  R.I.P., Coachise!!!

Reunion of Coach George Keehn and some of his players from Niles College of Loyola University February 2nd, 2022

Coach George Keehn and the1980-81 Niles College of Loyola Univerity Lions 

George....I loved working with you and always hearing your jokes!  I wish you eternal peace and please know you were loved.  You will be missed my friend.   Love, Lori Thum

Dear George may you rest in peace and you always did have the best music.  My condolences go out to the Keehn family.

Coach, constantly said MTXE, Mental Toughness Extra Effort. As a groundbreaking person, his approach to coaching and mentoring made a difference in all aspects of my life. I strived for academic excellence. That became a mantra as I mentored students as a Campus Minister, co-workers in other positions, and ultimately federal agents. When he left Niles College, I came to realize he knew what we stood for, Faith, Family, and Ingetrity. I missed but knew to emulate.

I am so very sorry!  
George was one of the kindest people at St Benedict HS.  His genuine smile always made people feel welcome.
Sending sincere condolences to Pam and family!  I hope many happy memories help you all through this difficult time!!
Ginny Ott Class if 1966

Coach Keehn we will miss you dearly! Thank you for everything you did for our kids! Glykeria, Georgios, Angelica “Ang” as you called her and Efremia adored you! RIver Trails lost a great gym teacher and a beautiful soul! Our deepest sympathy to the Keehn Family! May his memory be eternal. You will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Mr. Keehn 🙏

Siozios Family

Mr. Keehn was a great mentor and coach at River Trails MS, and his encouragement undoubtedly helped me to become a more patient and driven individual today. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Keehn family. I and many others were positively impacted by Mr. Keehn’s charisma, humor, and leadership, and those memories will forever stay in our minds and hearts.

RIP George 🙏🙏🙏.  Game over and you won big. Condolences to the Keehn family. We lost a good one.

George was suck a positive person who always brought a smile to those who knew him. I will dearly miss George.
My condolences and prayers to his family.

It was said about George: If you were around him and you did not have some laughs or have a great time, it was YOUR fault. I could not agree more. George was a soulmate of mine in hoop and in life. He was loyal guy and a fine coach. I will miss him and am very saddened by his loss. R.I.P., good man.

George will be greatly missed by my family. He was supportive during my husband,  Bill Albright’s, illness by visiting him /us with fun HS memories and always funny jokes to keep our spirits up.  He connected with everyone and always shared hopefulness at good and difficult times. 
My sympathies to Pam and his family. I hope you have comfort in knowing how he touched so many lives by being the wonderful man that he was. 
Sincerely Kathy (Seggeling) Albright and family 

OBITUARY

George Joseph Keehn

March 7, 1948 – March 27, 2023

Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home

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