James Patrick "Pat" Keany was so many things to countless people in his 65 years – a loving and always giving husband, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, nephew, cousin, a loyal friend, and a stranger to no one. His larger than life personality and infectious laugh, his big smile and big hugs, his unique sense of humor, and willingness to help everyone he cared about and those he didn’t even know instantly drew everyone to love him.
Sadly, on the morning of September 15, Pat unexpectedly and very suddenly passed away with his wife of 26 years, Brenda, by his side, leaving all those who knew and loved him shocked, devastated, heartbroken, and saddened beyond words.
Pat was born in San Diego, California, to Thomas John Keany and Mary Mulligan Keany, both predeceased. His large family included his brothers Gary, also predeceased, and Mike, now of Kingman, Arizona, along with his sisters, Bonnie, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Ina, of Rancho Santa Margarita, California; and Maureen, also predeceased. While in high school, Pat worked various jobs, one of which was being a cook at the Golden Ox restaurant in Garden Grove, California. Even to the present day, he loved to tell funny stories about his experiences there. After graduating from Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, Pat joined the military, serving in the Army actively for four years and then inactively for two years, last stationed in Hawaii. He reached the rank of E-5/Sergeant in three years, working with the anti-tank and TOW Missile System, and earned a good conduct medal and the sharpshooter (rifle) qualification badge. Throughout his entire life, Pat was extremely proud to be a veteran who had served his country. After leaving the Army, Pat attended Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii; Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California; and Cypress College, in Cypress, California, while also beginning his sales career selling Cutco and Wear-Ever, learning the ropes from his father, and working for Faultless Caster Corporation in Buena Park, California. His sales representative job there led him to leaving his beloved family and friends in California to move to North Carolina, where he instantly made many lifelong friends. From 1990 until the present day, Pat wore many hats (figuratively and literally), selling and/or serving in a managerial capacity for several different furniture related manufacturers, and being a part owner of an Italian based webbing company. In recent years, these many hats included being owner/major stockholder of EZ Sleep Foundations, Inc./KD Bedding, Inc. and founder of Napa Comfort, which he proudly advertised as a veteran owned company. In addition, during this time, Pat was a Sales Representative for Arthur A. Oliver & Son Inc. and most recently became Vice President of Sales of the East Coast Distribution Warehouse for a California based company, California Chair. He loved his work, and in all of his business endeavors, Pat always put his whole heart into it and tried his very best.
Pat enjoyed living life to the fullest, whether it be traveling to unknown locations or familiar places like their condo in Wrightsville Beach, friends’ or family’s homes in the mountains or on the coast, or group trips snow skiing or elsewhere. He loved having a wonderful meal with a good glass of wine while at home, dinner parties, or dining out. While he excelled at having fun with family and his wide circle of friends, all of whom he loved, he also loved napping, which he was oftentimes spotted doing, even in the middle of a party. Even though Pat always remained a California boy at heart, being a true Southern girl, Brenda exposed him to foods he thought he’d never try, and, eventually, her traditional Southern New Year’s dinner became his most favorite meal ever. On the other hand, his time at the Golden Ox as a young boy taught him how to cook, and he made a delicious prime rib dinner coveted by all. Over the years, he also cherished his time hunting, fishing, or golfing with his good buddies, or enjoying a cocktail or a good glass of bourbon and smoking a fine cigar. This was true when socializing with friends or sitting on his back porch at home listening to his favorite music. He was widely referred to as being the life of the party, exuding boyish charm and a mischievous manner, and often laughing the loudest, particularly at his own jokes. Others described him as a magnificent gentleman, a kind, good, caring, and gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, one of the nicest and best natured people you could ever meet and most fun to be around, always with a positive and upbeat attitude and having a genuine interest in others.
Although Pat and Brenda never had any children of their own, he was blessed with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews on both sides of the family and his and Brenda’s godchild, all of whom loved him with all their hearts. For all of those who knew and loved him, he has left a large void in their hearts that no one else can ever replace. He was a bright light that was extinguished far too soon and will forever be missed. In the days ahead, may we all raise a toast in remembrance of him and to celebrate the life of such a fine and wonderful man.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday October 8, 2021 at St. Pius the Tenth Catholic Church officiated by Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio. Military Honors will be presented by the Randolph County Honor Guard.
Donations in memory and in honor of Pat can be made to the Randolph County Honor Guard at P.O. Box 1672, Asheboro, NC 27204-1672, or online at www.randolphcountyhonorguard.com, or to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2210 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27408 (www.stpiusxnc.com)
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