SALEM - Mr. Joseph A. O'Keefe Sr. 82, of Salem, loving husband of Camille (White) O'Keefe, member of the Salem City Council, former Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and Civil Servant passed away peacefully Monday, September 14th, 2015 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, with his loving family by his side. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Andrew Joseph and Jane (Spinney) O'Keefe. Raised and educated in Salem, Joe was a graduate of the former St. Mary's Grammar School and St. Mary's Boys High School in Lynn. Joe joined the United States Air Force and served his country as a firefighter at U.S. Air Force bases in Texas, Saudi Arabia and Washington D. C.. Upon his honorable discharge he continued his education at Oklahoma State University, School of Fire Prevention, graduating in 1958. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from Harvard University, 1973 and also earned his certificate from the John Fitzgerald Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, in 1984. Joe was a dedicated public servant from an early age and always found great reward in helping others. He began his professional career as a Public Protection Engineer with the Insurance Services Office of Boston from 1958 to 1967. He then moved into the educational field becoming an Associate Professor of Fire Safety and Protection at North Shore Community College, 1967 to 1974. He was appointed Professor and Chair person of the Fire Protection and Safety Technology Programs at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown a position he held from 1974 until 1977. Joe developed and originated the first Fire Science program that is now the standard to which all Fire Safety personnel are taught and is used widely in the community college system throughout the state. In 1977, Joe was given a great honor being appointed the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, a position he would hold for over four three year terms serving from 1977 until his retirement in 1992. He served his State and fellow Firefighters with great dignity and respect. Joe always put the safety and well fare of his fellow fire fighters and the residents of the commonwealth of Massachusetts first and foremost in all of his endeavors. He was very proud of progress the Department of Fire Services made during his tenure.

Joe truly enjoyed helping others reach their goals and impart his gained wisdom, this is evident by his continued work as a professor of Fire Science. He was an Adjunct Professor of Fire Science Technology Program at Providence College, 1989-1991 and also an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University, 1985-1991.

Joe loved life and he loved people, he earned the trust of those around him by fighting for the people of the city he lived in and loved to celebrate. He served on the City of Salem, City Council from 1962 until 1974 representing Ward 2 and currently was representing Ward 7 as City Councilor for the past 15 years, (2000-2015). He served on the City of Salem School Committee from 1975 until 1979, serving as chairman in 1980 and was President of the City Council in 1963 and 2009 and during both tenures served as acting Mayor of the City of Salem.

Joe was dedicated in his faith and was an active communicant and lector of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem. He was a member of the V.F.W., Witch City Post 1542, an honorary member of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Building Code Commission, Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulators and a life member of the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts and the Knights of Columbus, Veragua Council #76. Yet above all else Joe was happiest when surrounded by his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved sharing in his families accomplishments and being able to bring a smile to each one of their faces. He was dedicated to his loving wife and will be deeply missed. Joe's legacy is large; his love for his family, his church and city is true. His accomplishments yet many, he would never broadcast, all the while wishing to make others life's better with a smile on his face and twinkle in his eye. The City of Salem is a better place because of Joe O'Keefe. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Camille (White) O'Keefe of Salem, father of Francis O'Keefe of Salem, Jane O'Keefe of Salem, Mary Sullivan and her husband Robert of Beverly, Joseph O'Keefe Jr. and his wife Diane of Salem, Edward O'Keefe and his wife Lisa of Salem, Kathleen O'Keefe and her partner Debbie Williams of Boston, Kevin O'Keefe and his wife Robin of Ipswich and Ann Greenleaf and her husband Donald of Lynn, his 14 grandchildren, Shannon & her husband Tony Mataragas, Kelly, Jillian & her fiancé Nathan Ambrozavitch, Alyssa, Amy, Ashley, Madison, Kylie and Kiera, William, Cameron, Cullen, Shawn and Joseph, his 4 great grandchildren, Damon, Zoey, Nathan and Naya, his brother, Edward O'Keefe and his wife Tina of Pasadena, Texas and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was the loving father of the late Shawn O'Keefe.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral Mass will be held in the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, Saturday, Sept. 19th at 10 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours in the Immaculate Conception Church, Salem, Friday, Sept 18th from 4 to 8 P.M.. Assisting the family with the arrangements is The O'Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Sq., (At Salem Common) Salem. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joe's memory to the Joseph A. O'Keefe Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Eastern Bank, 72 Loring Ave., Salem, MA 01970 or to the Mass General Leukemia Center, C/O Development, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, Ma 02114. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com