It is with immense sadness that the family of Thomas “Mike” O’Keefe of Machias, Maine announces his passing on Saturday, May 1st at the age of 81. He passed peacefully in his sleep after a long illness. A loving father, son, grandfather [poppop], brother, uncle, friend, humorist.

Mike was born on 12/21/1939 in Lodi, New Jersey to Thomas Joseph O’Keefe and Margaret Dolan O’Keefe, spent most of his youth in Emporium, Pennsylvania, attended Emporium High School and met the love of his life, Deanna Bailey O’Keefe. They were married in 1962 and spent their life together for 58 years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, attended Penn State college for 2 years, worked for the Sylvania Electric Company in Emporium and Muncy, PA. They owned and operated the “O’Keefe Family Market” in Picture Rocks, PA. For 10 years, they moved to Maine where Mike lived out the rest of his life, he was an avid hunter, trapper, fisherman, marksman and loved gardening. His humor and storytelling [true or not] were loved by all who knew him. He spent some time guiding, masonry and scallop fishing, a jack of trades and a master of wit.

Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother, Thomas and Margaret O’Keefe of Seneca Falls, NY and brother Paul John O’Keefe of Chesapeake, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Deanna O’Keefe of Machias, ME. He brother’s wife Mary Dolan O’Keefe of Chesapeake, VA, his 3 sisters: Kathleen and Michael Brennan of New Bloomfield, PA, Eileen and Ronal Pannucci of N. Muskegon, Michigan, Patricia and Donald Westcott of Fruitport, Michigan, his five daughters and one son: Mary Margaret and Daniel Hostetler of Beaver Spring, PA, Patricia Ann and Michael Hill of Allenwood, PA, Jean Marie and George Tobey of Sandwich, Mass., Kathleen Elizabeth Dow and Greg Rollins of Drew Plantation, ME., Eugene [Debs] Dow of Lee, ME, Michelle Eileen and Scott Wertman of Columbia Falls, ME, Patrick Michael O’Keefe of Machias, ME. He was blessed with 15 grand children, 14 great grand children, numerous nieces and nephews and friends. He always told all of his family “Never watch a loved one that’s leaving go out of sight because it’s bad luck.”

This is not goodbye, we all love you and we will see you on the “Other Side.”