James A. Keohane

   James A. Keohane, 94, Watertown passed away Tuesday evening, August 13, 2024, at Hospice of Jefferson County.

   He was born in Port Leyden June 9, 1930, son of James S. Keohane and Eva Kraeger Keohane. He lived with his grandparents, Anthony and Cecelia Kraeger and graduated from Constableville Central School in 1948. He played soccer, basketball, and baseball in high school. 

   Jim served with the United States Army in Korea from 1953-1955 as a military policeman after which he was given an honorable discharge. He received the Korean Service, United Nations Service, and National Defense Service Medals and his unit received a Presidential Unit Citation.

   He joined the New York State Police in 1957 and retired in 1978. He worked for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation from 1980-1992. Jim was a communicant of Holy Family Church, was an usher for many years, and worked at the May Festival every year. He was a member of the Elks Club 496 and the American Legion Post 61. He enjoyed deer hunting, was a master gardener, always helped his neighbors on Franklin Street, and enjoyed getting together with his family and extended family.

   He married Helen Bandych at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lowville on April 26, 1958. They have five children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren: Ronald Keohane and wife Diana of Tyngsboro, MA, and four children: Jason (Caroline, son Cameron), Curtis, and twins, Jennifer and Kerri; Peter Keohane and wife Lucy of Watertown, NY, and two children: Kyle and Rachel; John Keohane and wife Nancy of Chesterfield, VA, and three children: Emily (Christopher Fiore, daughter River), Troy (Melissa, son Taysom), and Kristy (Hunter Woodford, daughters Adalyn and Kinley); Timothy Keohane and wife Kathy of Brewerton, NY, and three children Eva, Joel, and Cora; Mary Keohane-Ransone and husband Joe of Mechanicsville, VA, and daughter, Victoria. He is also survived by half sisters: Patricia Borden and husband Ray of Boonville, NY, Marion Trudell and husband Gary of Aurora, CO, and Margaret Keohane of North Syracuse, NY, nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

   He is predeceased by his mother, Eva, father, James, step-mother, Anna, half-brother, Jack Keohane, and half-sisters, Nancy O’Hern and Jane Keohane.

   The family thanks Dr. Pedro Camacho, Father Mickey Demo, caregivers, Lynne Gordon, Jim and Kevan Houghmaster, and a special thanks to Hospice of Jefferson County to all the nurses, aides, and the staff for all their loving care of Jim. 

   Calling hours will be held on Sunday, August 18, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown from 2 - 5 PM. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 19, at 10 AM at Holy Family Church. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Constableville will be at his family's convenience.

   Memorials can be sent to Holy Family Church, 129 Winthrop St. or the Sisters of the Precious Blood, 400 Pratt St., both in Watertown, NY 13601. Online condolences to Jim's family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. 

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