Trumbull, CT – Robert Francis O’Keefe, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
 
Bob was born in Derby and raised in Ansonia; he was a graduate of Assumption School in Ansonia (Class of 1947), Fairfield Preparatory High School (Class of 1951), Fairfield University (Class of 1955) and University of Detroit (Class of 1957).
 
After holding several engineering positions, he founded O’Keefe Controls Co. in 1975, which to this day is a world-class family-run manufacturer of precision orifices and fluid control products – a sign of his clear vision and thoughtful leadership. Bob was an ardent supporter of Catholic education, and used his talent to make meaningful and impactful contributions in support of this cause, benefitting many grade schools, high schools and universities in the area. This generosity was recognized by St. Joseph High School in 2002 with the Sister Catherine Fanning Privilege and Responsibility Award for Community and in 2009 by the Archdiocese of Hartford with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. He was also inducted into The Order of Knights of The Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 2010. In addition to his professional and personal works, Bob was very proud of his Irish heritage and in 2010 served as Grand Marshal of the Greater St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bridgeport. He served on the parade committee since 2010 and was instrumental in establishing the Corporate Sponsor Program  for the parade last year.  He was a longtime member of The Gaelic American Club in Fairfield and The Ancient Order of Hibernians. These accolades are a small representation of the dozens of awards and leadership positions held by Bob.
 
Bob will be remembered for his unequaled devotion to his faith, family and charitable works, his generosity, intelligence and compassion – he was a great man.
 
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Maureen (Corcoran) O’Keefe; his daughter Mary (O’Keefe) Butala, her husband John Butala and their children Caitlin, Timothy and Noreen; his son Patrick O’Keefe, his wife Karen (Occhipinti) O’Keefe and their children Katherine, Sean, Kristin and Robby; his son Joseph O’Keefe, his wife Wendy (Campbell) O’Keefe and their children Jeremiah and Loretta; and countless other family and friends.
 
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Vincent’s for their compassionate and attentive care of Bob throughout the later years of his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Bob’s memory may be made to the St. Joseph High School and Fairfield Prep’s scholarship funds.
 
Friends are invited to bid farewell to Bob on Tuesday, June 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home located at 399 White Plains Rd. in Trumbull. Friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Wednesday, June 7 at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen R.C. Church, 6948 Main St. in Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will follow at Mount Saint Peter Catholic Cemetery, 219 New Haven Ave in Derby.

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