Joseph P. Keefe

Waltham – Retired Waltham Police Captain Joseph P. Keefe, Sr., of Waltham, died Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at his home. He was 83.

Joe was born in Waltham on January 3, 1927, a son of the late Joseph D. and Agnes (Eagan) Keefe, and had been a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Waltham High School, Massachusetts Bay Community College and Northeastern University in Boston. During World War II he served with the United States Navy.

He began his thirty year career as a police officer in Waltham when he was appointed a reserve officer in October of 1951. Within a year he was appointed a patrolmen and in 1956 a sergeant. Joe was appointed lieutenant in 1967 and captain in December of 1979, a position he held until his retirement as head of the detective division in September, 1981. After he retired he worked for another twenty years in charge of security at Northgate Gardens Condominiums in Waltham.

Joe was a member of the Waltham Police Association where he had served as president and vice-president, the Massachusetts Police Association and the State, County and Municipal Employees Association. He also belonged to the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 in Waltham and had been an usher at Saint Mary’s Church in Waltham for many years.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Barbara A. (Delorey) Keefe; his children, Judith A. Keefe of N. Chelmsford and Joseph P. Keefe, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Waltham; his sisters, Mary Palmieri and Virginia Comley, both of Bedford and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joe’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary’s Restoration Fund, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451.