Obituary of William P. McKeough

DELMAR - William Patrick McKeough, 92, of Delmar, NY, died on Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 due to complications from surgery. Born on July 23rd 1924 in Albany, NY, Bill was the son of James A. and Margaret M. McKeough. He met his beloved wife Diana (Patnaude) McKeough in 1946 in Montreal. Bill attended Albany Academy for Boys and Cranwell Prep School, graduating in 1942. Next, he attended the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. After his first year of college, Bill enlisted in the US Army 13th Airborne Division during World War II where he served as a paratrooper. Following the war, Bill graduated from Holy Cross in 1949. He then studied horticulture at SUNY Farmingdale and graduated in 1951. Bill started Wm. P. McKeough Landscaping, Inc., his own landscaping business, in 1960. 30 years later, he turned the business over to his son Pat. Bill continued to work for the business up until a few years ago. He loved his pruning sheers! He would drive to the nursery in Slingerlands daily “to make sure it was still there.” He also collected rocks from many houses he landscaped over the years. Bill was an avid train collector and created an extensive model train set in his basement. He enjoyed sharing his love of what he created with everyone. Bill always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 1040 and the VFW Post of Delmar NY. Bill volunteered with the Bethlehem Senior Services for 13 years as a wheelchair van helper. In 2010 he won the Golden Hand Award with over 1,000 hours as a van helper! Bill had tremendous faith and was a long time communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, where he volunteered his time doing various jobs. Bill is survived by his best friend and wife, Diana, of 66 years. He is also survived by his three children W. Patrick (Kathi) McKeough, Susan (Rich) Bacon, and Ann Brewster and seven grandchildren: Kevin and Lauren McKeough, Danielle (Gary) Bacon-Hadfield and Rachael Bacon, and Colleen, David (Laura) and Danny Brewster, and future great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Constance McKeough, and cousins Margaret Manning and Jane Campbell. Bill is predeceased in death by his brothers: Reverend James A. McKeough SJ of the Philippines, and John M. McKeough of Averill Park, NY and by his son-in-law Peter B. Brewster of East Nassau, NY. Bill’s family wishes to thank all of the nurses and doctors at the ICU and the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital for the loving care that he received. Calling hours will be Monday April 17th in the Chapel of St. Thomas the Apostle Church (Delmar, NY) from 4 to 7pm. American Legion service at 5:30pm. Funeral and mass will follow on Tuesday, April 18th at 10AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Internment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Amsterdam, NY. Reception at 3PM at the American Legion Post 1040 (16 W Poplar Drive, Delmar, NY). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bethlehem Senior Projects (445 Delaware Avenue Delmar NY) or Community Hospice Foundation, c/o Gift Processing Center, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208-1771.