Michael J. O'Keefe, Jr.

Michael J. O'Keefe, Jr., 68, of Wenonah, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025.  

Legacy

Michael J. O'Keefe, Jr., beloved father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on March 6, 2025. He made the most of his 68 years. Affectionately known as Mike, he was born in Philadelphia on June 20, 1956, and called Wenonah, NJ, home for many years.

A proud Philly native, Michael grew up in Southwest Philly as one of five children of the late Michael and Dorothy O’Keefe. He attended Good Shepherd School where he ran track and went on to graduate from West Catholic Boys High School. 

His early years were filled with memories of wall ball, dodgeball, dead man’s bones, freeze, jailbreak and stickball with his siblings and the neighborhood kids. It was here that he mastered the art of shenanigans—throwing sneakers over the wires and playing practical jokes on his friends. In the winter, he spent hours sledding down the big hill on Windsor Avenue, ice skating and playing hockey on Cobbs Creek. The rest of the year was spent crossing the stepping stones and exploring the park.

After high school, Michael went on to work for NAVSEA at the Philadelphia Naval Yard as an engineering technician working on aircraft carriers and other large surface vessels for over 40 years. He traveled to naval bases all around the world and his coworkers and friends appreciated his work ethic and positive attitude on the job.

Mike was into cars from early on—his first car was a Volkswagen Scirocco that he loved. He had a decked-out van he proudly called the “Yellow Dog” (which had a tendency to attract the attention of local police) and a classic tan station wagon known as the “Babe Mobile” (aptly named as he met the love of his life while he owned it). In recent years he finally got his absolute dream car, a chalk gray Porsche 718 Boxster that he loved to take for a spin.

Music was another one of Michael’s great loves. He was always on the hunt for the best audio equipment to really showcase his favorite tunes. Whether he was cranking up the volume and getting lost in the sounds or spending time perfecting his setup, music was a big part of his world. 

As a lifelong traveler, Michael clocked countless miles, with many unforgettable trips along the way. Some of the highlights include his memorable trip to Ireland, a family cruise in the Caribbean, his numerous visits to Hawaii—his personal favorite—and an unforgettable cross-country road trip with his daughter and son-in-law.

Ever the romantic, Michael wooed then married his soulmate, Jennifer, on the Fourth of July 1999 and they spent the next 20 years living their own party for two. Luckily for us, their many friends and family were often invited to join in on the festivities. Mike was known to throw one heck of a party and did so often with Hootenannys and annual Independence Day and Christmas celebrations that never failed to impress.

Mike was a true and valued friend to many including his coworkers, his neighbors in Wenonah who became family, those he met attending and refereeing soccer games during his son Bryan’s soccer career and his siblings who all loved him for his great sense of humor and wit. He always looked forward to games with the crew at the Carriage House and Thursday happy hours with his brothers and sisters.

Michael built a family and was a proud father to his sons and daughter who he would do anything for. He happily got promoted to Grandpop in 2022 when his granddaughter Nellie was born. He loved taking her to museums, the Philadelphia Zoo, to see the Phillies and just cuddling up on the couch to watch movies.

Despite many health struggles, including surviving a battle with cancer, Michael faced it all with incredible strength and grace. He was predeceased by his wife, Jennifer Pillsbury O’Keefe, his parents, Michael Sr. and Dorothy O’Keefe and his mother- and father-in-law, Jean Ellen and Warren Pillsbury.

Michael leaves behind his children, Nicole O'Keefe Lynch (Matt), Michael, and Bryan Strode. He also leaves his siblings: Karen (Dave), Denise Curley, Kevin (Maria), and Chris (Brenda). Michael was a doting grandfather to his granddaughter, Nellie Lynch, and the favorite “Uncle Michael” to many nieces and nephews. 

Michael was one of a kind and he will be truly missed by all who knew him. A celebration of his life will be held on June 7, 2025. In lieu of flowers, raise a Yuengling, Guinness or Jameson in Mike's honor and make a donation to the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org

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