

Dear Everyone--
We will all miss Uncle Joe, especially his sense of humor.  He always had a joke for us and told us how much he enjoyed our phone calls.

Gopi and Keshi keep referring to him as their uncle the "pirate" because of his eye patch and thought it was the coolest thing ever to have a pirate for an uncle!
  
I know you will miss him and we will too.

Patti, Jay, Gopi, Keshi Dugan-Henriksen

Dear Helen, Barry, Angela, Sheila and family,

I was so saddened to hear that Uncle Joe has passed away. My parents said a little forlornly, "You probably didn't know Uncle Joe all that well," and they are right in one sense, but I've been hearing about him and your family from my mom and dad all my life. I think Uncle Joe had a gentle nature and a sharp wit. I liked to hear about the bets he and my dad would make for the Super Bowl and the "currency" they would use to pay the winner. I like that my nephew Gopi was in awe of him, because Uncle Joe wore an eyepatch, like a pirate! When I was little, like Gopi, I thought it was fascinating that my uncle had a glass eye -- how many of my friends could say that?! I remember when you guys would drive to Allentown all the way from Illinois and when we would drive out to visit you guys. Because you were all older, you were like superstars to me! 

I am so happy that Ned and I were able to accompany my parents to breakfast with Uncle Joe, Helen, and Barry when they took a road trip in Barry's RV (Was that a year or so ago?). Somehow, even though Uncle Joe really couldn't see or hear that well, he still managed to keep up with our conversation and joke around. I think my mom and dad and your mom and dad were fortunate that they were such good friends; not everyone gets along with their siblings-in-law, but our family has been blessed that way. 

My parents told me about Uncle Joe's internment. The weather was horribly rainy, but as he waslowered into the ground a flock of snow geese flew overhead, honking in all their glory. What a fitting goodbye for Uncle Joe. 

With deepest sympathy

I was privileged to know Joe McKeone as a Father in Law and a friend.  He showed me  kindness and friendship from the first time I met him in 1976.  In his later years he continued to be a spirited friend who loved to talk sports and stock markets.  I always admired his positive outlook on life, his faith, and the positive impact that he had on everybody he knew.

To Helen, Barry, Angela , Sheila and family,
We were sad to see Joe depart.He was in a wonderful place these last years ,in the arms of his family. Please accept our deepest sympathy. 
Aunt Gloria and Uncle Chuck

It is hard right now to sufficiently write enough to honor to all that my father was.  I will have to add another entry, so all who are reading or contributing here please come back to this site several times for the short term coming up. But to sum things up in a sentence or 2, thank you Dad for perservering with such grace and cheer, from when you were little and had to sleep in an unheated porch to your last hours.  You let us all know that we were loved.  And to all of his surviving in-laws, friends, nieces and nephews, cousins' children, my sisters and brother, husband Chuck, Katrina and Chris - he loved all of you and spoke caringly and admirably of all of you until these last couple of days. I just happened to be blessed to be with him to listen these last few years. Thanks Dad, Sheila Claire McKeone Parsons

Dear Helen Rita, Sheila, Barry, Angela , Kristina and Christopher,
It's an honor to write these words of our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad, just as it was a great honor to know him.  Our mother, Catherine McKeone Ryan and Dad Ed Ryan thought the world and more of Joe. Their good times and shared memories were spoken of many times as we grew up.  As 'us kids' moved on, we had times- though not nearly enough- to get to know him as an uncle, friend and co-conspirator against all things cynical.  He was simply the best of the best -- optimistic, intelligent, supportive, humorous and young at heart. God bless you and your families. And Godspeed, Uncle Spike. We will miss you always.

Mary Beth Ryan and John O'Regan 
Ballyheigue, County Kerry, Ireland

Dear Helen Rita, Sheila, Barry, Angela, Katrina and Christopher, 
It's an honor to write these words of our sincere condolences on the loss of your dad and granddad, just as it was a great honor to know him.  Our mother, Catherine McKeone Ryan and Dad Ed Ryan thought the world and more of Joe. Their good times and shared memories were spoken of many times as we grew up.  As 'us kids' moved on, we had times- though not nearly enough- to know him as an uncle, friend and co-conspirator against all things cynical.  He was simply the best of the best -- optimistic, intelligent, humorous and young at heart. God bless you and your families. And Godspeed, Uncle Spike. We will miss you always.

Mary Beth Ryan and John O'Regan 
Ballyheigue, County Kerry, Ireland

Dear Grandpa,
From the time I was old enough to make sense of who you were in my life, you couldn't see much.  I have always admired your strength, determination, and attitude despite your inability to see and your other physical hardships throughout the years. From playing school and restaurant with you when I was little with our old imaginary friend, Amy Conner,to chatting with you upstairs when I had the chance, you have never ceased to put a smile on my face.  I miss you being in our house with us, but I hope you are eternally happy in heaven with Grandme.  
Love,
Kate (Katrina Rose)

This is from your oldest daughter Helen Rita.I was six years old when we moved from Allentown. You were blind for twenty years.  The  last  few weeks when you had a bad cold was more painful than ever.  I hope both you and mom are in heaven.  I miss you very much.

Dear Barry,Sheila,Helen Rita and Angela,
        Our hearts and prayers are with you as you say goodbye to your dad. You all can be so proud of the care,peace and happiness each of you brought to his life. He delighted in sharing what was happening in each of yours and had such joy talking about Katrina and Christopher !! Phone calls between us were filled with his wisdom, laughter and quick wit ...never complaints. While he will be dearly missed,years of wonderful memories  and knowing he is with your mom  and all his family  can bring us comfort and peace. What a welcoming party he must have had in Heaven !! How lucky we were to be recipients of his love for all these years!! Thank you for "sharing" him!  
                                Love,
                                 Margi

Mr. Joe, In the short time I knew you, I found much to admire. Although you had more right to than most, I never once heard you complain about the physical capabilities that were robbed from you. You set a beautiful example for others in how to live, and die, with grace and dignity. We learned a lot from watching you. Thank you.

Dad, cancer robbed you of your eyesight for years, and made you suffer.  In spite of it, any day that you could muster, you greeted us with a smile and declared “you were the luckiest man alive.”  I admire you so and thank you for being my father.  I hope you are dancing with mom.

I'd like to thank my sisters and brother, who nursed my father through these painful last days, and allowed hospice to let him die in peace.  I'm eternally grateful.  Your loving daughter, Angela

My sincere condolences to you for the loss of your family member. May the God of comfort give you peace during this time.
(Isaiah 33:2)
J, GA

OBITUARY

Joseph E. McKeone

29 November, 1919 – 20 December, 2013

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

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