WORCESTER-Robert W. McKeon, Sr., 84, of Worcester, died peacefully on Monday, July 5, 2010, at Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester, after a long illness. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 46 years, Gemma L. (Bilodeau) McKeon, who died in 2005. He is survived by a daughter, Michele G. Gagne and her husband Stephen Gagne of Worcester; a son, Robert W. McKeon, Jr. and his wife Erin McKeon of Washington, DC.; two granddaughters, Claire G. McKeon and Molly E. McKeon, both of Washington, DC; and a brother, William McKeon of Martinsburg, WV. His other siblings, Edward, John, Dorothy, Catherine and Anthony, predeceased him.
Bob was born in Worcester and raised in the Cherry Valley section of Leicester. He graduated from Leicester High School, and earned a degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Junior College. Bob also attended Syracuse University.
During World War II and upon his 18th birthday, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. From the beginning he was a devoted sailor serving in the Pacific theater aboard the destroyer USS Bradford, DD 545 - a Fighter Direction ship on Radar Picket duty. Onboard, Bob maintained the ship’s electronic equipment, including its radar and communications systems. Bob’s seafaring adventures encompassed the Philippines, the Okinawa Campaign and finally Tokyo Bay as part of a ship contingency at the close of the war and signing of the peace treaty.
During the Korean War, Bob served as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force’s 313th Air Division at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. There he upgraded and trouble-shot radar systems and radio communications networks, including encryption transmissions.
Bob met his wife, Gemma, at the Royal Canadian Legion in Montreal. They settled in Syracuse, NY and began to raise their family. He was employed by General Electric and participated in the research and development of the Atlas missile, the U.S.’s first intercontinental ballistic missile. Bob was involved in the Atlas’ ground and airborne guidance systems for delivery to specific targets. He also headed the team performing the acceptance and installation of the radar units at designated positions throughout the Midwest that controlled the missile’s operation.
Bob and his family later relocated back to the Worcester area, where he owned and operated the Alpine Lounge in Cherry Valley for many years. He established himself as a successful businessman, and he provided well for his family. In his later years, he volunteered at the Massachusetts Veterans, Inc. Homeless Shelter and the Worcester People in Peril (PIP) Shelter.
The funeral is Saturday, July 10th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 11:00 A.M. in St. John’s Church, 40 Temple Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, July 9th from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor and memory may be made to the Massachusetts Veterans, Inc. Homeless Shelter, 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01609.