Jul 18, 2010 2 min read

Neil O’Keefe, 57, of Monaca, Pa., died Thursday, July 15, 2010 in Rochester Manor, Rochester, Pa., after a brief bout of cancer. He was born September 2, 1952 in Rochester, Pa., the son of John and the late Margaret O’Keefe of Monaca.

Friendly and outgoing, Neil was well-liked by everyone who met him. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family. He was a talented athlete as a youngster and loved playing football, basketball and baseball. Forever an Indian, he was a big sports fan of Monaca High School sports teams and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 1970 graduate of Monaca High School, he attended Beaver County Community College and Penn State Beaver Campus.

He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1972-1975. Stationed for the most part in Germany, he received an honorable discharge.

Both before and after his time in the service, he worked as a steelworker at the J&L plant in Aliquippa.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his longtime companion, Linda Miller of Hopewell, Pa.; his daughter, Sarah of Philadelphia; four brothers John of Monaca; Mark and his wife Linda of Uniontown; Joe and his fiance Diana Barreau of Patterson Township, Pa.; and Barry of Monaca; three sisters, Maureen Meade and her husband Bill of Moon Township, Pa.; Rosemary Guthrie and her husband, Mark of New Brighton, Pa.; and Eileen O’Keefe and her finance Dave Pasquale of Monaca; nieces Ashley O’Keefe Newcomer, Katie O’Keefe and Leslie Guthrie, godchild; nephews, Bryan O’Keefe and Lucas Guthrie; and step-nephew Rich Fleeson; and step-niece, Beth Fleeson; and godchild Jessica Egan.

Arrangements are being handled by the SIMPSON FUNERAL HOME in Monaca. A memorial service, open to friends and family, will be held at the Sons of Italy on Pacific Avenue in Monaca on Sunday, July 18, from 1-3 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either St. John the Baptist School in Monaca or the American Cancer Society.