James “Jim” F. O’Keefe, age 91, a resident of Tewksbury for over 50 years, formerly of Somerville, passed away at Lowell General Hospital, Saints Campus on Monday, April 13, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Marjorie A. (Cronin) O’Keefe, who passed away on November 3, 2005.
Born in Somerville on October 12, 1934, he was the son of the late Patrick O’Keefe and the late Julia (McCarthy) O’Keefe. He graduated from Somerville High School and received an associate degree from Newbury Junior College. In 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served during peacetime until being honorably discharged from active duty on February 20, 1959. Prior to retiring, he worked as a machinist for the Payne Elevator Company, where he worked for 35 years.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife, and after her passing, he continued to travel with friends. Jim and Marjorie enjoyed taking their family away for a summer vacation. Whether it was Manomet or on the beaches of Maine, they always made sure there was room for the whole bunch. Jim was a true family man and cherished spending holidays surrounded by his family. He particularly loved Easter, where his children and grandchildren gathered for brunch every year. Jim was a dedicated grandfather and made it a priority to be present for all his grandchildren’s accomplishments throughout the years. He looked forward to going out to dinner with his daughters weekly.
Growing up in Boston, he was an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed following the Celtics. He was a devout Catholic and a longtime parishioner of St. William’s Church, Tewksbury.
He will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor and quick wit, which he maintained until the end.
He is the father of Kathy Lawton of Andover and her companion Joe Fusco, Patty Barnes, and her late husband Bill, of Tewksbury, Stephen O’Keefe and his wife Brenda of Lowell, the late Christine Merrick and her surviving husband Rick of Tewksbury, Julie Richter and her husband Bob of Billerica, John O’Keefe, and his wife Kate of Fayetteville, NC, and Lynne O’Keefe of Seattle, WA. He is the grandfather of Rachel Dudley and her husband Edward, Derek Lawton and his fiancée Diana, Joshua Barnes and his wife Scout Roberts, Sarah Mardirossian and her husband Jordan, Abigail, Lauren, and Julia O’Keefe, Richard Merrick and the late Matthew R. Merrick, Daniel, Bryan and Meghan Richter, Isabella and Sebastian O’Keefe, and Devlyn and Tanner Crowley, as well as three great-grandchildren. Jim was the brother of the late Margaret, John, Helen, Catherine, Marion, and Charles O’Keefe. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Thursday, April 23, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Route 38, Tewksbury. Services will conclude with interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Angel Fund for ALS Research at www.angelfund.org.