Robert E. O'Keefe, Jr.

Orono, Maine - Robert E. O'Keefe Jr., 85, died March 8, 2026, at a Bangor hospital. He was born April 24, 1940, in Old Town, a son of Robert E. Sr. and Margaret H. (Rogers) O'Keefe.

Bob attended Old Town Elementary schools. He started high school at Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston, ME, but transferred back to Old Town High School, where he was a 1959 graduate of OTHS. Bob proudly served his country having served with the United States Air Force from August 1959 to August 1963. In the fall of 1963, he entered the University of Maine to study physical education. After the fall semester, Bob decided to change his field of study to business administration and in January 1964 he transferred to Husson College in Bangor. During his time at Husson he was involved in many activities including the student senate, editor of the 1967 college yearbook, a member of Kappa Delta Phi and played on the college basketball team. He was a member of the Husson Alumni and the Husson Sports Hall of Fame. Bob graduated from Husson in June 1967 with a B.S. in business administration. He then went on to earn an M.S. in management from S.U.N.Y. Albany, NY, in 1975.

In the fall of 1967 Bob started as a sales representative with Shell Oil Company in Portland, ME. In early 1968, he was transferred to Albany, NY. He left Shell Oil in 1969 to take a sales position with Baxter Labs in the medical sales field, he left Baxer in 1977. He then was working as a manufacturers representative in late 1977 when he met the lady who would become his future wife, Fran Cordi, a native of Albany, NY. They were married on September 15, 1979. Bob returned to the medical sales field in April 1979 when he was hired by Angelica Corporation, a medical apparel company, as a sales rep for a newly formed territory. This territory included Eastern New York, Western Massachusetts, and Vermont. This was the beginning of a 28 year career with Angelica as a sales representative, sales manager, and his last few years as a consultant for Angelica's Healthcare Laundry Division, Bob retired June 2007.

Bob loved sports, especially all Boston teams and of course, was thrilled in 2004 when his beloved Red Sox finally broke the 86 year curse of Babe Ruth. He and Fran were loyal supporters of Husson University, especially the athletic department. Among their contributions to Husson were the funds to build O'Keefe Field, Home of the Husson University Women's Softball Team.

Bob is survived by brother Rod O'Keefe and his wife, Cindy of Old Town; sister, Nancy Morrison and her husband, Royce, of Otis. He was predeceased by his wife, Fran, on November 3, 2020; sister, Pat; his parents; his stepmother, Betty; and his beloved grandparents, Wilfred and Isabelle O'Keefe.

Bob gave to many charities and in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, shrinerschildrens.org, or to Husson University, husson.edu. 

Visitation will be held 10 a.m.to 12 Noon  Tuesday March 17, 2026 at New Comer Cremations & Furneals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205. All are invited to attend his funeral service following at 12 Noon. Burial will be held at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY.