1944
John
2020
John Lincoln Keedy
June 20, 1944 — December 25, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Lincoln Keedy on December 25, 2020 due to complications related to Covid and Parkinsons at the age of 76. John loved life, and throughout his colorful life he was a son, brother, friend, sailor, athlete, professor, husband and beloved father. He was born on June 20, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois,to Ada and Allen Keedy of Massachusetts. His father was a minister at the Congregational Church. of Avalon Park, Chicago and his mother was a well-educated housewife who then went back to school at the age of 50 to become a school librarian.
John attended Chicago Public schools until the age of ten when his family moved to Norwood, Mass. He attended Hebron Academy in Maine for high school, then went onto Brown University, his mother's alma mater, and majored in Classics. After graduation, he took some experience years and had many adventures: he took a position at the Punahou School in Hawaii as a Latin teacher for a couple of years, taught Latin at private schools in the states, took a few years off to travel to Europe, Mexico, North Africa and started his own roofing and painting business. In his 30's he returned to graduate school for an M.A.T in History from Brown. He taught history at a couple of public schools in MA then went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Ph.D in Education; where he met his future wife, Cathy Meine. He then began his next career which involved working as a school administrator before he decided to move into higher education and got a position as an Associate Professor of Education at West Georgia College, where Cathy and John's only daughter, Emily, was born. He went on to become an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University and finally became a Full Professor at the University of Louisville where he ended his career at the age of 68. He researched, published, taught and directed many doctoral dissertations throughout his career. He influenced many students in education to go on to become educational leaders, researchers and superintendents as well as leaders in fields outside of education.
John had many interests. His family's house on Cape Cod offered many chances to use them. He loved to sail and took many family members and friends on adventures unrivaled by other sailors. He also loved visiting family in Vermont where he owned property. He loved tennis and taught many family members to play. John was a mischievous and loving spirit. He had a passion for language, reading history and politics and loved discussing them. He was a loyal friend and family member all of whom appreciated his humor and ability to challenge for the fun of it. Family and friends enjoyed many lively discussions with John.
John's life was interrupted in his late 60's when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; this was a life defining crisis which gradually affected his abilities to walk and speak, and made it challenging for him to do all the things he loved. Through all this, he was remarkably courageous, positive and could still laugh at life's absurdities. John leaves his daughter, Emily Rebecca (fiancé Peter), his sister, Martha Keedy Hoffman (Lee), and brother,Allen Daniel Keedy. He also leaves his ex-wife, Cathy Meine. The last 7 years of his life were brightened so much by his much-loved companion, Karen Gordon. He also leaves many friends, a close-knit group of cousins, a nephew, Andrew (Jill) and their son Ben; niece Katherine (Jay) and their daughters, Isabella and Tessa.
A private burial will take place in Walpole, Mass. A summer memorial in Craigville, MA, John’s favorite place, will be planned to celebrate his life.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Parkinson’s Support Center of Kentuckiana, Brown University or the Craigville Fund in his honor.
Be in peace, John. We miss you.
Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.
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