John J. Keenan, a lifelong resident of Bryn Mawr, died October 14, 2006 at Bryn Mawr Terrace at the age of 75. The son of Irish immigrants, he lived his entire life in the same house on Martin Avenue.

John was the son of the late John and Annie Keenan. He attended Our Mother of Good Counsel parish school, and graduated from West Catholic High School, LaSalle University, and the University of Pennsylvania. After a brief time teaching at West Catholic, he went to work for SmithKline Pharmaceuticals, while also teaching night classes at LaSalle University. He soon realized his passion for education and in 1959 accepted a full-time position with LaSalle, where he taught English for more than 35 years. Over the years, many former students have enjoyed keeping in contact with him.

While at LaSalle, he served as chairman of the English department, and as editor of Four Quarters, the university literary magazine. In 1968 he won the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

In 1985, his first book, "Feel Free to Write: A Guide for Business and Professional People" was published. Several years later, he co-authored a second book: "Writing for Business and Industry: Process and Product".

He married Alice Conway in 1954, and they had 4 children and 9 grandchildren. His family was his greatest joy. He and his wife owned a vacation home in Sea Isle City, NJ for over 30 years. In recent years, they enjoyed spending time there in the spring and fall. In addition to writing and teaching, he also enjoyed playing his saxophone as a member of the Big Band Professionals, a popular local swing band.

After retiring from LaSalle in 1995, he became interested in tracing his family's genealogy in Ireland, where he and his wife made several trips to visit relatives and see the country.

In recent years, he also took pride in serving on the Board of the Bryn Mawr Volunteer Fire Company, where his son Mark served as Fire Department Chief for many years, before he died of colon cancer in 2001.

John was the beloved husband of Alice Keenan. Devoted father of Maureen Sands (Robert), Thomas (Collette), Paul (Cynthia) and the late Mark (Malla). Loving grandfather of Michael, Stephen, Megan, Christine, Jenny, Stephanie, Matthew, Jack and Lia.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday October 18, 11:00 AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LaSalle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Phila., PA 19141 or to the above named Church.