Remembered For His Dedication, Love Of Aviation History

Philip Charles O'Keefe, 73, aeronautical engineer and former director of the New England Air Museum, passed away December 23, 2008, at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehab in Storrs, CT after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

The Connecticut Journal Inquirer reports O'Keefe was born November 1, 1935, in Wellsville, NY, the son of the late Harold N. and Ruth (Gillespie) O'Keefe. He attended and graduated from local schools in Belmont, NY. He served in the US Navy from 1954 to 1956 in the US, Guam and the Philippines as a classified telecommunications specialist.

He then graduated from Tri-State University, Indiana with an Aeronautical Engineering Degree. During his career as an aeronautical engineer, O'Keefe was employed by Boeing, Honeywell, and UTC aircraft companies.

Museum officials say O'Keefe was very committed to the New England Air Museum. He started as a volunteer restoring WWII aircraft, and later became the museum director. He was key to the recovery of the facility after the 1979 tornado strike, working tirelessly with the staff and volunteers to restore damaged aircraft.

He also implemented the renaming, relocation, and expansion of the Museum. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the CT Aeronautical Historical Association, and also served on several boards for the town of Windsor Locks.

During his leisure time, O'Keefe continued to focus on aircraft, history and model trains. He worked tirelessly for over 30 years to establish his genealogical line back to 12th century Europe.

In addition to his wife, Dolores, of North Windham, he is survived by two sons, a daughter, a step-daughter, a sister, four granddaughters, a great granddaughter, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

FMI: www.neam.org