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James A. Keenan, Jr.
Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend;
James A. Keenan, Jr. (92) a longtime resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024, surrounded by members of his loving family.
He was the loving husband for over 63 years of “his bride”, the late Mary Lou (Crane) Keenan.
Jim was born in Waterbury, CT to James A. Keenan and Anna Frances Harmon Keenan. He attended St. Mary Elementary School, Sacred Heart High School and the College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1954. Jim was a proud alumnus of Holy Cross and maintained many connections and friendships with his classmates over the years. Upon graduation, he was accepted into the Georgetown University Law Center and graduated in 1957. After being admitted to the Bar in Connecticut and the District of Columbia, Mr. Keenan began his law practice in Waterbury, CT.
Jim and Mary Louise (Lou) Crane were married on September 7, 1957 and not long after that Jim achieved his goal of joining the FBI. His FBI career took him to Oklahoma City, Chicago and New York City. He was so proud of receiving three Letters of Commendation for his service and work with the FBI. In 1963, Jim moved from the FBI into the Assistant Director of Development at his Alma Mater, Holy Cross, and spearheaded their first capital campaign. This began a new, successful career for him. In 1969, he was recruited by the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN to be the Director of Development and was soon promoted to Vice President. He served in this capacity until 1983 when he moved into the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the college of St. Catherine, also in St. Paul. After being recruited by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary to be Vice President, Jim and his family returned to New England and moved into Lowell, MA in 1985. In 1989, he became the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Emmanuel College in Boston and served in that position until leaving to start his own fundraising consulting firm, Keenan and Associates, in 1992. During the ten years of its existence, his firm assisted more than 75 non-profit and educational institutions with fundraising.
An active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lowell, Jim became involved in helping the parish and school achieve their fundraising goals. He served as Chairperson of the school’s Development Committee and chaired the Parish’s Capital Campaign during the 25+ years he worked at the Immaculate. Along with the Immaculate, Jim worked tirelessly for over ten years for St. Patrick School and Educational Center in Lowell, helping the school reach its fundraising and Matching Grant goals.
Jim’s expertise in Strategic Planning enabled a number of non-profits within the Lowell area to plan for strong, stable futures. He was a Trustee of the Pollard Memorial Library, was involved with the establishment of the Pollard Memorial Library Foundation and in the Library’s renovation. He was a member of the Board of Directors at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro for six years.
An avid reader of a book a week, Jim especially enjoyed regular phone conversations with family and friends.
Jim is survived by two sons John H. Keenan of Cleveland, Ohio and James A. Keenan, III and Lori of Dracut; two daughters Anne Leahy and Daniel of Prescott Valley, AZ and Patricia “Tricia” Keenan and Mike of Lowell; four grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law Helen “Tookie” Van Son of Huntingtown, MD; Ruthie Crane of Hollis, NH and M. Patricia “Pat” Crane of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Visitation on Monday May 13, 2024, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH IN LOWELL from 9:30 to 10;45 A.M. followed by his Funeral Mass in the church at 11 o’clock. Private committal prayers for the family will take place at a later date. E-condolences /directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory the Immaculate Conception Grammar School of Lowell or St. Patrick Grammar School of Lowell or Girls Inc., of Lowell. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.
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