Edward Joseph Keeney

Portsmouth, RI - Edward Joseph Keeney, 74, of 5 Debra Drive, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of 79 Prospect Avenue, Middletown, died Monday, July 10, 2006, at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Agnes Gagliardi Keeney. Born in New Haven, CT, on April 27, 1932, he was the son of the late Edward P. and Marian Heery Keeney.Mr. Keeney was a 1950 graduate of West Haven High School in Connecticut. After high school Mr. Keeney served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He attended New Haven State Teachers College now Southern CT State from 1955-1959. He earned his Masters degree from RIC and also attended Salve Regina for graduate studies. Mr. Keeney began teaching at Aquidneck School in Middletown in 1959, then went on to Berkeley-Peckham then at Joseph H. Gaudet School, eventually becoming assistant principal, until his retirement in 1988 as principal. He was a member of the Middletown Teachers Association, the Middletown Administrators Association, the Rhode Island Teachers Association, the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Education Association. Mr. Keeney was also a past member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the District IV Criminal Justice Planning Council. He loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, fresh water fishing and reading. Besides his wife of 49 years, he is survived by his children, Jeffrey E. Keeney of Bristol, RI, Jonathan Keeney of Middletown, RI, and Janet Nasser and her husband Ronald of Middletown, RI, his brothers John Keeney of Mystic, CT, and Robert Keeney of East Haven, CT, his sisters Marian Ashman of Virginia Beach, VA and Barbara Serphillips of Hammondsport, NY and his grandchildren Kyeshia Keeney, Alexander Keeney and Selena Nasser. He was the brother of the late Eileen Steinke.His funeral will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at 11:00 am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be private.Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 14, 2006, from 4-8p.m. in the Memorial Funeral Home. Donations in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport Bristol Counties, Hospice Division, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.