WHEREAS, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr., the owner of Edward Electric Company, a former president of the Electrical Contractors Association in Chicago and a distinguished World War II Naval veteran attached to the Scouts and Raiders, the original Special Operations Personnel whose exploits inspired the modern Naval SEALS team, has passed away in Eagle River Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Chicago native Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. was born on September 20, 1921 and is the son of Joseph Keenan, Secretary emeritus of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and a recipient of the Medal of Freedom Award and the Medal of Merit for his war-time service; and
WHEREAS, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and attended the University of Notre Dame until he enlisted in the Navy following the surprise attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor; and
WHEREAS, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. received military training at the U.S. Navy's V-12 Program at the University of Wisconsin , where he was Captain and Most Valuable Player for the 1943 Badgers' football team; and
WHEREAS, in 1943 Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. was listed on several All-Big Ten Teams as a center and middle linebacker and earned an Honorable Mention on the 1943 United Press All-American Team; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 the University of Wisconsin named Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. honorary captain for the Illinois-Wisconsin game; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Scouts and Raiders, the original Special Operations Personnel under the command of Captain Phillip M. Bucklew, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr., through his gallantry in China during World War II, is one of the "founding fathers" of the modern-day Navy SEALS team; and
WHEREAS, following his war-time service Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. returned to the University of Wisconsin where he was betrothed to Florence Dobranski; and
WHEREAS, in a lifetime of public service, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. generously supported Maryville Academy in Des Plaines, Illinois and the work of Father John Smyth's Standing Tall Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Maryville Academy presented Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. with the Standing Tall Award in 1983 and was likewise honored for his work with the St. Vincent DePaul Settlement House in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, following his retirement Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. and his wife Florence re-settled in Eagle River, Wisconsin where he actively supported the Eagle River Hospital and Saint Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, From November 1993 through August 1999, Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. served as Deputy Chicago Bureau Chief, deploying a staff of fifty reporters based at the Tribune Tower to complete editorial assignments; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council assembled this thirty-first day of October, 2018, do hereby extend our deepest sympathies the passing of Joseph D. Keenan, Jr. and extend our prayers and condolences to Joseph Keenan 111 of Park Ridge, Illinois; Linda Keenan of New Orleans, Louisiana; Patrick Keenan of Boca Raton, Florida; Michael Keenan of Wheaton, Illinois; the grandchildren. Great grand-children and members ofthe extended family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy ofthis resolution be presented to the family of
Joseph D. Keenan, Jr.
