Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ McKeown

June 6, 2024

Thomas A. McKeown, 61, our beloved cherub has gained his angel wings and is soaring to his heavenly resting place to be with his heavenly father, and all those departed loved ones who have been looking after him.

He was the son of the late Joseph F. McKeown and Emily J. (McCormack) McKeown, Tommy is the youngest, “the caboose”, of four siblings of an Irish-Catholic family. He was a devout Catholic having attended mass daily and prayed the rosary regularly. He was an altar boy who served both Latin and English masses. He particularly liked to serve funeral masses, so he could assess the work of his friends, the funeral directors. Tommy re-enacted the mass, calling himself “Monsignor”, in his own chapel complete with vestments and a chalice. As an adult, Tommy became a member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 302 and is a Fourth Degree Knight.

Our little leprechaun was just as passionate about his Irish Heritage. He devoted much time and energy to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, planning his outfit for weeks. He was involved with Irish Days, belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and for several years was the Sergeant at Arms for the Donegal Society and was named man of the year by the Donegal Society one year. Tommy participated in every St. Patrick’s Day parade and was named an Honorary Grand Marshal along with his friend Patrick. On St. Patrick’s Day and after the parade he loved to hear the bagpipers at Patte’s and have drinks with his girls. To continue with his love of all things Irish, he traveled with family to Ireland several times, visiting Irish school children through Project Child and visited various historic sites and kissed the Blarney Stone.

Tommy was Irish through and through except when it came to football. Having met Joe Paterno in the early 80’s, he took a liking to Penn State Football. He got ribbed terribly by his Irish friends and family for being a Penn State fan. However, he would concede that Notre Dame was OK, only after Penn State.

Having lived in Wilkes-Barre his entire life, he attended Edward Mackin Elementary school and fondly remembered his classmates Michael and Mary Pat. Tommy was a proud graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre, Class of 1983. He is widely known as the “Mayor” in Wilkes-Barre, but not to be confused with the other two mayor Toms.

Tommy liked to travel and spent wonderful trips with family and friends north of the border in Canada, where he could speak some French. He also traveled to New England states and several times to Florida. In Florida he visited Mickey and the “Florida Flash”, Through his travels he collected an impressive international pin collection for which he was proud.

Five years ago, Tommy took a step towards semi-independence, when he moved into a group home with his “Angels”, Erin, Mary and Karen, who were his housemates. He enjoyed talking, watching TV, coloring and playing cards with his Angels. Also, very special to Tommy were his helpers as he called them, who were the staff that kept the group home running smoothly, Linda, Pam and Denise. For the past year, Tommy developed a new family at Maple Ridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Kingston, where he has lived since his health began to decline. Tommy and his family would like to thank all the staff for loving Tommy and treating him like family.

Tommy was the purest of souls with an engaging vibrant personality. He was able to have the right words and sentiment to say at the very precise time. Tommy far exceeded all expectations for his life span and accomplishments.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Emily McCormack McKeown, January 9, 1995; his father Joseph F. McKeown, July 26, 2018; his god parents Thomas McCormack August 15, 1996 and Rita Smith McCormack, July 4, 1994; his brother-in-law Richard G Evans, Jr. October 5, 2012; and his furry four-legged buddy, Oreo.

Surviving are his siblings: brother, Joseph M. McKeown and his wife Ann, Shavertown, PA; sister, Mary Lou Evans and her husband Chris Calise, Dallas, PA; sister Emily ‘Janie’ Intelicato and her husband Michael, Kingston, PA; his nephew Justyn M. Newman, Sr. and his wife Tanya, Springhill Fl; and his great nephew Justyn M. Newman, Jr. and his fiancée, Lexus Dean, Portland Oregon. His furry buddies Magic and Butterscotch will miss Tommy’s kisses. Additionally, he is survived by his Aunt Theresa McKeown, Wilkes-Barre, PA and many cousins and friends.

Funeral will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 9:30 am at the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA  18705, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Saints Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, PA  18705, with Father John C. Lambert, Pastor, officiating.  A live stream of the funeral mass will be on the parish FACEBOOK page.  Interment will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Plains.  Family and friends may call Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

 In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Tommy’s name, to the The Institute of Human Services 250 Pierce Street, Kingston, PA 18704 for a special project at his former residence or to Cori’s Place, 495 Wyoming Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, his former day program.

God speed our newest Angel Tommy!