Obituary for Michael "Mike" Keenan
KEENAN - Robert Bernard Michael “Mike”
After what can only be described as a valiant and courageous will to live, Michael passed away on March 10th, 2023 at the Maison McCulloch Hospice surrounded by his family.
Fondly known as Mike, he will lovingly be remembered by Anne, his wife of 60 years, his daughter Carolyn and her daughters Sydney and Avery; his daughter Elizabeth (Rob) and their children Meghan, Jacob, Molly and Caelan; and his daughter Jennifer (Steve) and their daughters Abigail and Madeline. He will be dearly missed by his sister Mary Catherine (Ed), his sister Sharon, his sisters-in-law Judy and Brenda, his brother-in-law George (Carol), his sister-in-law Cathy (Bill) and by his many nieces and nephews. Mike was predeceased by his two younger brothers Breen and Kerry and by his special niece Andrea Hayes.
Born in 1936 to Dr. Vincent and Viola Keenan, Mike grew to be a very proud Sudburian who never missed an opportunity to share his lifelong affection for the north. Following grade school, he moved to Toronto where he received his high school diploma from St. Michael’s College School, his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michael’s College University - University of Toronto, and his law degree from the University of Toronto Law School. After his call to the Ontario Bar in 1963, he returned to Sudbury where he began his rewarding and successful law practice. Mike was so very proud of his Desmarais Keenan Law Firm and, during his fifty-year career, was respected among his peers and clients for his integrity, loyalty and devotion to his craft. He often remarked what a pleasure it was to go to work each morning.
Along with his dedication to the legal profession, another of Mike’s passions was working to ensure the quality of life for the people of Sudbury, which required a vibrant, value-based, and quality health care system. With this as his constant impetus, he volunteered on the Boards of the Sudbury General Hospital followed by the St. Joseph's Health Centre for more than thirty years and never failed to rise to the occasion by offering his guidance and counsel. He will also be remembered as a dedicated defender of the principals of his Roman Catholic faith while doing so.
Mike’s defining legacy is his immeasurable love for his wife and family. He was immensely proud of his three daughters and eight grandchildren who were equally proud of him. He supported them in every endeavor and attended every celebration from baptism to birthday to graduation. He cherished travelling the world with Anne, boating up and down the Pickerel River with the kids in tow, sitting on the beach in Florida, and finding a hideaway where he could peacefully read his book! In the end, and fitting with his character, Michael Keenan, Q.C. retired his shingle at 6 p.m. on a Friday only after completing a full week of work!
In true Irish spirit, Mike has no doubt instructed the Lord to hold us all in the palm of his hand.
Special thanks to the exceptional care given by the dedicated Nephrology Unit staff at HSN, the compassionate team at Maison McCulloch Hospice, and his many doctors who supported him through this difficult journey.
Given Mike’s lifelong commitment to health care, donations to the St. Joseph’s Foundation or the Maison McCulloch Hospice would be greatly appreciated.
Memorial Mass at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, 480 McIntyre Street West, North Bay, Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11am. Cremation with interment at the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
After what can only be described as a valiant and courageous will to live, Michael passed away on March 10th, 2023 at the Maison McCulloch Hospice surrounded by his family.
Fondly known as Mike, he will lovingly be remembered by Anne, his wife of 60 years, his daughter Carolyn and her daughters Sydney and Avery; his daughter Elizabeth (Rob) and their children Meghan, Jacob, Molly and Caelan; and his daughter Jennifer (Steve) and their daughters Abigail and Madeline. He will be dearly missed by his sister Mary Catherine (Ed), his sister Sharon, his sisters-in-law Judy and Brenda, his brother-in-law George (Carol), his sister-in-law Cathy (Bill) and by his many nieces and nephews. Mike was predeceased by his two younger brothers Breen and Kerry and by his special niece Andrea Hayes.
Born in 1936 to Dr. Vincent and Viola Keenan, Mike grew to be a very proud Sudburian who never missed an opportunity to share his lifelong affection for the north. Following grade school, he moved to Toronto where he received his high school diploma from St. Michael’s College School, his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michael’s College University - University of Toronto, and his law degree from the University of Toronto Law School. After his call to the Ontario Bar in 1963, he returned to Sudbury where he began his rewarding and successful law practice. Mike was so very proud of his Desmarais Keenan Law Firm and, during his fifty-year career, was respected among his peers and clients for his integrity, loyalty and devotion to his craft. He often remarked what a pleasure it was to go to work each morning.
Along with his dedication to the legal profession, another of Mike’s passions was working to ensure the quality of life for the people of Sudbury, which required a vibrant, value-based, and quality health care system. With this as his constant impetus, he volunteered on the Boards of the Sudbury General Hospital followed by the St. Joseph's Health Centre for more than thirty years and never failed to rise to the occasion by offering his guidance and counsel. He will also be remembered as a dedicated defender of the principals of his Roman Catholic faith while doing so.
Mike’s defining legacy is his immeasurable love for his wife and family. He was immensely proud of his three daughters and eight grandchildren who were equally proud of him. He supported them in every endeavor and attended every celebration from baptism to birthday to graduation. He cherished travelling the world with Anne, boating up and down the Pickerel River with the kids in tow, sitting on the beach in Florida, and finding a hideaway where he could peacefully read his book! In the end, and fitting with his character, Michael Keenan, Q.C. retired his shingle at 6 p.m. on a Friday only after completing a full week of work!
In true Irish spirit, Mike has no doubt instructed the Lord to hold us all in the palm of his hand.
Special thanks to the exceptional care given by the dedicated Nephrology Unit staff at HSN, the compassionate team at Maison McCulloch Hospice, and his many doctors who supported him through this difficult journey.
Given Mike’s lifelong commitment to health care, donations to the St. Joseph’s Foundation or the Maison McCulloch Hospice would be greatly appreciated.
Memorial Mass at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, 480 McIntyre Street West, North Bay, Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11am. Cremation with interment at the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery.