Joseph Peter Keenan

Type of Donation:          organs

Age and Location:          48 Pawtucket, RI

Donation Date:             01/21/2018

Sponsor:                   Honored by New England Donor Services

JOSEPH’S STORY

Joseph Peter Keenan, affectionately called Joe, Joey, or Mr. Joe, spent his life making others look good and feel great. As a hairstylist, Joe was much beloved by his clients for not only his talent, but his humor and kindness. One did not leave his salon chair without good conversation and a smile. His skills and passion led him to become an instructor as well where he inspired and taught so many cosmetologists who love what they do today, thanks to Mr. Joe. He adored his family and friends and enjoyed welcoming them into his home to cook for them, pour cocktails and play everyone’s favorite songs. He was a huge music and movie buff, always singing or quoting movie lines.

Joe was happiest when body surfing the waves of his favorite Rhode Island beach or skiing Mammoth Mountain. He would say his proudest moment was finally being able to legally marry the love of his life, Billy, with whom he shared 20 years. Joe was able to save 3 lives by donating his heart, liver, and kidneys. Joe’s husband has developed a special bond with the heart recipient and he and his family have become like a second family to him. The heart recipient’s daughter gave her first born son Joseph as his middle name “because it is the name of the man who in death gave life to not only my dad, but my entire family.”