Morris J. Jim"" Keenan

Morris J. ""Jim"" Keenan of Wethersfield, beloved husband and father passed away Sunday (December 19, 2010), a victim of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer uniquely caused by exposure to asbestos. Jim was born to Morris and Mary (Thalken) Keenan on July 15, 1931, in Cheyenne Wyo. He was raised in Cheyenne, where he attended St. Mary's School, graduating from St. Mary's High School in 1949. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Mary (Hunt) Keenan; his sister Jane McGann of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; a son, Michael Keenan and his wife Laurelyn of Granby; a daughter, Ann Keenan of Glastonbury; a daughter, Mary Thibeault and her husband John of Wethersfield; a daughter, Margaret Bebb and her husband Donald of Hampden, ME and a son, William and his wife Tracy of Simsbury. He is also the fond grandfather of Michelle Keenan, Nick Keenan and his wife Cara, Brian Keenan, Lynnie Keenan, Kaitlin Zak, Aimee Thibeault, Christopher Thibeault, Jessica Thibeault, Ryan Bebb, Greg Bebb, Shannon Keenan, Katy Keenan and Mary Keenan. He was predeceased by his precious granddaughter, Anne Marie Kathryn Zak. Jim earned a NROTC scholarship from the Navy and attended the University of Notre Dame. He graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy. He was assigned to the USS Lake Champlain, which was operating with the Seventh Fleet in the Korean Conflict. He came aboard via high-line during night resupply at sea. After the Korean Armistice, the Lake Champlain was returned to the Sixth Fleet operating in the Mediterranean with a home port of Mayport, FL. His duties prior to discharge included Division Officer, Atomic Defense Officer, Engineering Watch Officer, and Damage Control Repair Group Officer. He was hired by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in 1956 where he worked on aero-thermo design systems, and procedures for performance analysis of compressors, turbines, propellers, and boundary layers. He attended evening classes to obtain a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. During the course of his 35 year career, he was co-author of 14 publications. He was awarded a significant-achievement prize for the successful design of a tip-shrouded fan. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday (December 23) at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy. Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to go directly to church. Burial will be in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Calling hours will be Wednesday (December 22) from 4 - 7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield, CT 06109. Memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to Masonic Partners Home Health and Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108 or to Corpus Christi School, 581 Silas Deane Hwy. Wethersfield, CT 06109. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.