Joseph P McKeegan

Joseph Patrick McKeegan

March 21, 2004 – January 25, 2025

 Joseph Patrick McKeegan passed away on Saturday, January 25, from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 20 years old. Joey was the beloved son of Joe and Gail McKeegan and a loving brother to his sisters, MacKenzie and Meadow. He is also survived by his Nana and Al; many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends; and his dog, Storm.

 Joey had a huge personality and an even bigger heart. From the moment he was born, he cruised through life with endless energy, always itching to grab some wheels and go somewhere. His first set of wheels was a vacuum cleaner. He’d drive that baby around the entire house, leaving not a speck of dust behind. Then came toy trucks, scooters, bikes, and eventually cars. Joey loved his cars – driving them, detailing them, fixing them. In fact, he was always mechanically inclined. His family was forever tripping over things Joey had taken apart to see how they worked. Eventually, he learned how to put things back together, moving on from fixing small appliances to replacing fan belts and swapping out transmissions and water pumps, often right in place wherever a car broke down. 

 Though he always loved getting down and dirty to fix something, Joey also developed some serious style. He was meticulous about his hair, fanatic about his Nikes, and proud of his “fits.” He always looked good, and he would light up a room when he walked in, bursting with energy and flashing his big smile, his eyes gleaming with plans for his next adventure.

 Joey loved work and he worked hard, whether at the BBQ King, Elegant Tent Rentals, or It’s Lit Holiday Lighting. He not only enjoyed the work, he also liked making people smile. Joey had a way of connecting with all kinds of people. It didn’t matter if you were a little kid, or decades older than him, Joey was genuinely interested in getting to know you and finding out how you were doing. He always saw the best in people and wanted to help them find the best in themselves.

 Joey was part of a tight-knit family, and he loved them fiercely. He spent many happy hours kayaking and camping with his parents and sisters, laughing with extended family at summer cookouts, and hanging out with his cousins. His younger cousins looked up to him. He taught them about right (and sometimes wrong), how to be good (and sometimes bad), and how to get out of their comfort zones and go for something they wanted. But Joey’s family didn’t end at the branches of the family tree. His friends were like brothers to him, and he adored them. Joey was a great friend. He was very protective of the people he loved. He was always there when you needed him. He was a ballbuster, but that meant that he loved you.

 Joey wasn’t much for following the rules, preferring to carve his own path. He even taught his dog how to live an unleashed life, training Storm to run alongside his bike by leading him with a tennis ball. Even though there were other dogs and people around, Storm never needed a leash because he was always focused on Joey.

 Joey left this world far too soon, but he made an impact on so many people. He lived life the way HE wanted. Boldly. Loudly. Fearlessly. He worked hard and he played hard, but he loved easily, giving his entire, beautiful heart to his family and his friends. We will all miss him deeply and love him always.