Obituary of Robert J. McKeegan
Robert J. McKeegan, 93, of Delhi, New York, and recently of Mountainside Residential Center, Margaretville, NY and Lititz, Pennsylvania, died of old age on June 7, 2015. Bob was an only child and was born May 17, 1922 in New Rochelle, New York to Albert C. and Mae McKeegan (nee Hannigan) and raised in Pelham, New York. As a young boy Bob and his parents spent summer vacations on Webster Brook in the Town of Kortright. During that time Bob developed a life-long friendship with the Zeller and Sanford families and fell in love with Delaware County. After graduating Pelham High School in 1939. Bob attended Colgate University and, following Pearl Harbor, graduated with an accelerated program in 1942, whereupon he enlisted with his fellow Colgate grad and life-long friend Bill Munro in the U.S. Army. Robert served in the 104th Wolfpack Division as a Military Policeman in France, Belgium, and Germany from September 1944 to June 1945. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1945. Bob was able to attend Albany Law School thanks to the GI Bill and graduated in 1948. That same year he accepted a position with the law firm of Blakely and Platt in White Plains, New York, where he met Barbara Aylesworth, a young legal stenographer. They fell in love and were married on February 10, 1951 in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Chappaqua. At Barbara's death on December 24, 2014, they had been married 63 happy years. In 1954 Bob returned with Barbara and their family to Delhi where he started a successful law practice and served as Delaware County District Attorney from 1961-1964. He was past President of the Delaware County Bar Association, was active in local civic affairs, loved his profession and always considered it to be a privilege to represent his clients. He never hesitated to mentor young attorneys. His son Bruce joined the law practice in 1982, and continues that practice to this day. Bob was also a clerk to Supreme Court Justice Carl Mugglin from 1986-1988. His greatest passions were his beloved wife and children and of course the law! Bob and Barbara moved to Lititz Pennsylvania in 2008, and for the past 4 1/2 years resided with their daughter, Marian and son-in-law Wayne in Elm, Pennsylvania. After Barbara's death, Bob decided to return to Delaware County and moved to the Mountainside Residential Center, Margaretville, New York in April of this year. Bob is survived by six children: Robert C. (Sharon) of Chehalis, Washington; Marian (Wayne) Martenas of Lititz, Pennsylvania; Bruce J. McKeegan (Christine) and Stephen McKeegan (Leslie) both of Delhi, New York; Peg (Dave) Marks of Lititz, Pennsylvania; and Ginny (Scott) Cullinan of West Chester, Pennsylvania; 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; his beloved sister-in-law, Marion Owen of Brewster, New York; his cousin Bill (Joan) Hennigan of Holmdel, New Jersey; his family friend Ellen Sanford and her family, and nine nieces and nephews from Barbara's side. A son, David, died at birth in 1953. A funeral of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the United Ministry of Delhi on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 2pm, with the Rev. Jeffrey Staples officiating. Graveside services after the funeral with the family will be followed by a reception at The Quarter Moon cafe' in Delhi. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob's memory to Catskill Area Hospice, 116 Main St., Delhi, NY. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, NY>
