George F. McKeon

George Francis McKeon passed away on January 29th after a brief illness.

George was born in New Haven, Connecticut on June 4th, 1932, to Edward J. McKeon, Sr. and Helen Murphy McKeon. George was predeceased by his wife, Catherine Simoncelli McKeon, his older brother Edward Jr., and younger brother Russell. 

He leaves behind his beloved children, son Kevin Russell McKeon and his fiancée Jacquelyn A. Donovan, daughter Jill McKeon-Vitelli and her wife Cathy Vitelli. Granddaughter Rachel McKeon Fowler and her husband William Fowler, his granddaughter Taylor L. McKeon and her life partner David Goduti. George was especially proud of his great-granddaughter Nara, daughter of Taylor.

He is also survived by his brother James Frederick McKeon (wife Elaine) and his younger sister Nancy Ruth McKeon Haggerty (husband Richard, deceased), and many nieces and nephews.

George was all things West Haven, having lived there since 1946. He graduated from the West Haven High School in 1950, where he had been Senior Class President and a member of the varsity Swimming and Diving team.  George also played and coached basketball for the Prospect Beach Seagulls in West Haven.  He was a proud US Army veteran in the Korean War era. He graduated from Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky in 1952. He was assigned to TASCOMEUR Europe and was deployed in COM-Z. He achieved the rank of corporal and was honorably discharged in 1955.  After his Army service, he married the love of his life Catherine Simoncelli, they had their two children and settled in West Haven.

George was a 38-year veteran of the Southern New England Telephone Company, retiring in 1994 as a District Staff Manager.  

George was an active member of The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association where he served as the president in 1985; the first Irishman to hold that position. George was also a devoted and active member of Our Lady of Victory and St. John Vianney Catholic Churches, where he served as an usher, treasurer and funeral planner. For his dedicated work to the church and the archdiocese, he was awarded the St. Joseph’s medal in 2017.

George also served the West Shore Fire District. He became an honorary member of the volunteer organization in 2004. George also assisted the West Shore FD Board of Fire Commissioners as a Moderator for the annual District meetings.

Calling Hours will be held at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green, 662 Savin Avenue in West Haven from 3-7 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. John Vianney Church, 300 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven on February 3, 2025, at 9:30 am. Interment with military honors will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, 871 Campbell Avenue, West Haven. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.t2t.org

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