Near what would be his 64th birthday, we celebrate the life of our beloved brother, Joe. Those who knew him, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives. He was intelligent, kind, caring, and had a tremendous sense of humor. Joe lived in Newtown and the surrounding area from 1972 to 2002.

If you met him, you remember him — red hair, blue eyes, tall, lanky, and smart as a whip (with a beloved German Shepherd by his side). You knew he was smart from his quick one-liners that could crackup a whole room.

Joe had a natural gift for mechanics and engineering. At 16, he learned how to use everything from a blow torch to an engine hoist to a welding rig in order to rebuild a Land Rover vehicle from the frame up. At 33, Joe refurbished an 1870s-era hydroelectric turbine at the Rocky Glenn Mill on the Pootatuck River in Newtown. He was most proud of years he spent navigating the government and utility red tape so that the extra power that his turbine generated could supply electricity to homes.

Joe’s most significant relationships, including two marriages, were formed in Newtown. He had a lifelong passion for helping friends and family with carpentry and machine projects. He also used his mechanical abilities to create beautiful, sculptural, and stained glass pieces of art.

Joe passed away from congestive heart failure in August 2019 at the age of 63. He last lived in Utica, N.Y. He left us too early, and we all miss him dearly. Joe is remembered with tons of love by his seven siblings and their spouses; two step-daughters; and all his nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention here.

Our family plans a celebration of his life and encourages friends to share thoughts and memories by e-mailing rememberjoekeegan@gmail.com.