Thomas M. Keane

Age 88

Born January 22, 1925 in Hartford, Connecticut.

Died December 5, 2013.

Devoted husband to Betty Ann (Kelly) Keane

“I want this baby to be born under the Stars and Stripes” said Mary Keane when she was three months pregnant in 1924. So the Keanes left the green lands of Claremorris in County Mayo, Ireland and arrived in Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Michael Keane was born on January 22 – the 5th child and the first of the Keanes to be born in the United States.

He died at age 88 on December 5 surrounded by his 11 children and loving wife. His was a life rich in family, faith, politics and song. Always ready with a smile Tom Keane’s story is a classic American Irish immigrant life.

His father, Michael, was a greenskeeper at The Hartford Country Club. His mother died just three years after that ocean crossing leaving his father with five children all under the age of seven. Tom and his five siblings -- Martin, Mary, Kathleen, Veronica and Margaret -- grew up on Andover Street.

After high school, Tom joined the United States Army at age 17 and served as an MP during World War II in England and France. Despite having just one good eye, he was a sharpshooter.

After the war and thanks to the GI Bill, he got his undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1950. His love of learning and science drew him to a long career with the Warner Lambert pharmaceutical company.

In 1955, Tom considered himself the luckiest man alive when he married Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Kelly in Wethersfield, CT. Tom and Betty Ann first settled in Hartford, CT, then Bloomfield, CT and in 1964 moved to Needham, MA. They raised a family of eleven children: Thomas M. Jr. (spouse: Laurie Farrell) of Boston, Robert J. (Sharon) of Bedford, Mary Elizabeth Doherty (Christopher) of Topsfield, Anne Kelly of Amherst, Martin E. (Elizabeth) of Arlington, VA, Gregory J. (Lissa) of Nahant, Kathryn T. Bullen (Tori) of Castle Rock, CO, James P. (Eileen) of Medway, Kevin J. (Eileen) of Needham, Brian F. (Kate) of Arlington, VA and Bridget J. of San Francisco, CA.

Tom and Betty Anne moved to Centerville, MA in 2000 and then to Hingham, MA in 2013.

Doubling Tom’s joy in life were his 33 grandchildren, ages two through 26. He gave thanks for the opportunity to know the caring and loving people they have grown to be.

Tom had a strong faith that guided him all his life. He was a voracious reader who discussed and debated the issues of the day; he was a nurturer who cared for his gardens like he cared for all he met; he knew how to turn the most mundane tasks into ones filled with fun and wonder, and carried a song in his heart and was always willing to share it, albeit sometimes without knowing all of the words.

Tom was an active member of the Osterville Men’s Club and its glee club. He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Victory, Centerville.

Tom is survived by Betty Ann, his wife of 58 years, all eleven children and all of his 33 grandchildren.

Relatives and Friends are invited to celebrate his life on Tuesday, December 10th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, MA. Visiting hours will be held Monday, December 9th from 5:00-8:00 pm at Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main Street, Hyannis Ma 02601.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance of Tom can be sent as a charitable donation to the Catholic Memorial School Advancement Office, 235 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132.