Edward Patrick McKeown

Edward P. McKeown, age 89 of Hockessin, Delaware passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023. Ed was born in Red Bank, New Jersey to Gertrude Dowlen and Edward F. McKeown. Ed grew up in Wilmington and was a proud graduate of Salesianum High School, Class of 1951, where he excelled in track. Later he attended the University of Delaware and graduated from St. Joseph’s University in 1960. Ed proudly served in the United States Navy, on the USS Hazelwood. He worked for Jefferson Smurfit as a Logistics Manager and retired after 35 years. Ed was an avid reader, he enjoyed traditional Irish music, and played the banjo. He was a longtime member of the Irish Culture Club of Delaware where he served as president from 1996-1997. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and especially enjoyed time spent at his beach home in Bethany Beach, Delaware. He was a devout Catholic and served as a Eucharistic Minister with the Diocese of Wilmington serving at St. Matthew’s, Christiana Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and St. Patrick’s in Wilmington. He was a parishioner at St. Mary of The Assumption Church in Hockessin, where he was a member of the Sages.

Ed was preceded in death in by his sister, Mary Melson of Bethany Beach, Delaware. He is survived by his loving wife, Eileen McKeown (Dineen). He is survived by his brother-in-law, Joe Melson. He is also survived by three children, Clare McKeown, Tom McKeown (Patty) and Terry McKeown. He was also survived by his three stepchildren, Molly Fanitini (Victor), Sue Murray (Will) and Michael Zielinski (Amy). He had 17 grandchildren Eric, Matthew, Madison, Andrew, Brandon, Sarah, Erin, Kyle, Kyra, Cassie, Cecilia, Sophia, Liam, Maeve, Seamus, Brendan and Rohan. He had one great grandchild, Kennedy.

Funeral services will begin with a viewing on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 and interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Salesianum High School.

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