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RIDGEWOOD, N.J. -- John Joseph O'Keefe Jr., of Ridgewood, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Dunwoody, Ga. He was 85.
He was born Sept. 29, 1930, in New York City, to John J. and Anna M. (Joyce) O'Keefe.
He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Allied occupation of Germany from 1948-52 as part of the Berlin Airlifts.
O'Keefe and his wife moved to Ridgewood in 1963 to raise their growing family. He was an active member at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for many years and a member of The Holy Name Society.
O'Keefe owned his own business, MailMasters Inc. in Hackensack. In his retirement, he became known to many as a crossing guard for the Ridgewood School System, a part-time job he enjoyed for many years.
He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Doris Iacona O'Keefe; his sisters Theresa and Agnes Joyce; and a brother, Michael.
He is survived by his brother, Richard O'Keefe of Falmouth, Maine; his children, John J. O'Keefe III, Avondale Estates, Ga, Jean A. O'Keefe Rachels and husband Matthew Rachels, Dunwoody, Ga, Ellen M. O'Keefe, Ramsey, N.J., and Michael F. O'Keefe and wife Megan Schaller O'Keefe, Lilburn, Ga; and his seven grandchildren, Erin Wright, Caitlin Smith, Ian Wright, Marjorie Smith, Ryan O'Keefe, Jack O'Keefe and Emma O'Keefe.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, One Passaic St., Ridgewood.
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