Obituary: David Paul Keefe

November 3, 1935 - December 18, 2023

January 5, 2024

David Keefe, 1935-2023

David Paul Keefe, 88, of Leland, North Carolina, passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 18, 2023. He was a longtime resident of Waterbury, Vermont, until retiring to North Carolina in 2007.

David was born in Burlington, Vermont, on November 3, 1935. He was the son of Bernard Keefe and Charlotte (King) Keefe of Waterbury. David graduated from Waterbury High School in 1953 and Burdett Business College in Boston in 1955 before serving the United States Army in the Korean War (1958-1960). He went on to graduate from Johnson State College in 1967, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. For the next 30 years, David taught 7th and 8th grade English at Harwood Union High School, where he directed many musicals. He was a member of the Waterbury Jaycees, Rotary Club and Waterbury 4th of July Committee; he served as a town lister and justice of the peace, and was also on the Board of Directors for the USS Battleship North Carolina. 

David is mourned by his wife Pauline Keefe to whom he was married for 56 years, his children, Paul Keefe (Wilmington, North Carolina), Karl Keefe and wife Andrea (Leland, North Carolina); grandchildren Kole, Abigail and Emma Keefe; many nieces and nephews; his sisters Mary Sutherland, Judy Woodruff (husband John Woodruff), Susan Keefe (husband Richard Guall), and sister-in-law Dorothy Keefe. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bernard Keefe, William Keefe, and Jack Keefe, brother-in-law Stuart Sutherland and sisters-in-law Denise Keefe and Sally Keefe.

David so enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who could always put a smile on his face. He took them to many places but especially loved the annual beach week at Oak Island, North Carolina. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury. A reception will follow at St. Leo's Parish Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Waterbury Fire Department Firefighters Association, 28 North Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676 or the Waterbury Area Senior Center, 14 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT 05676. 

Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences, please visit perkinsparker.com.