Joseph Cornelius Keohane, a devoted family man, community leader, and beloved youth coach, passed away on June 7, 2025, three days after celebrating his 97th birthday. Joe was born in the family home on Warren Street in Arlington, the only son and one of six children born to Irish immigrants Daniel and Ellen (Dwyer) Keohane. Growing up during the hardships of the Great Depression, Joe and his sisters developed an unbreakable bond. Times were tough, but his mother, Ellen, served as the heart and soul of the family—a strong role model who guided them through adversity with love and resilience. Joe attended Arlington High School, graduating with the Class of 1946. He played baseball and basketball, displaying the passion for sports that would define much of his life.
In 1950, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War as a sergeant with Company K, 279th Infantry Regiment. Joe was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal. At the age of 90, he was honored with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal. Though proud of his service, like many veterans, he rarely spoke about his experiences.
Upon returning home, Joe took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst (where he would meet his future wife, “the lovely Marilyn”), earning a degree in business and worked for Savings Bank Life Insurance for 30 years, climbing the corporate ladder to retire as the company’s Treasurer at the age of 60. Joe understood the value of hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and making the most of every opportunity. Even in retirement, he worked part-time at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home.
For over 63 years, Joe was a cornerstone of the Burlington community and a cherished youth sports coach. He coached Little League baseball with the Twins for 50 years—long enough to eventually coach children of former players. For many years he also coached girls’ softball and travel baseball. A familiar face at Simonds Park, he loved teaching young athletes to grow their abilities by learning from mistakes, understanding the game, and most importantly, loving to play. Over 50 years of coaching, Joe’s many accomplishments include 19 Baseball Championships, 5 Middlesex Softball League Championships, and being chosen as a 2010 recipient of the Fred Ebbett Award from the Massachusetts High School Baseball Coaches Association. In 2011, the town of Burlington honored him by naming the upper field at Simonds Park “Joe Keohane Field.”
Despite never having played the sport himself (or being much of a skater) Joe also coached youth hockey for many years. During his tenure, his Burlington hockey teams won Middlesex League and State titles with one finishing second at the Nationals. A great many Burlington High School Hall of Famers, including two Hobey Baker Award recipients, were coached by Joe in baseball, hockey, and softball. Joe not only helped his players be better sportsmen/women, but better people. He coached alongside his brother-in-law, Edward Sullivan, and many others, and will always be remembered as one of those special coaches who instilled a lifelong love of the game.
Beyond sports, Joe served as an usher at both St. Malachy’s and St. Margaret’s Churches and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Burlington. Joe golfed occasionally and might not have been the best, but was lucky enough to get a “Hole in One” at Pine Meadows in Lexington.
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