Joseph Robert McKeon
1927 - 2015
Joseph passed away at his home in Tucson, AZ on December 8, 2015 of natural causes. He would have celebrated his 88th birthday on Christmas Day. Joe was preceded in death by Shirley "Pat" McKeon, his wife of 59 years. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. Joe is survived by his three daughters, Cyndee Hagen (Randy), Carey McKeon-Pearson (David), and Christine McKeon, and by six grandchildren, Spencer and Carrie Anne Hagen, Colleen and David Flanagan Pearson and Ryan and Travis McDonald. Joe was born in Crafton, Pennsylvania. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After his discharge, he studied food science at New Mexico State University where he met Pat, his future wife and the love of his life. His career in the dairy industry included 14 years at Borden's where the family lived in Wauwatosa and Brookfield, Wisconsin. In 1968, Joe accepted a position with Marigold Foods in Rochester, Minnesota as Vice President of Production and Quality Control. He was responsible for the ice cream production at the Rochester facility. Joe and Pat relocated to the Twin Cities where Joe assumed more corporate responsibilities at Marigold's headquarters. Upon retirement, Joe continued to apply his expertise and talents in the dairy industry as part of the International Executive Service Core. He traveled to nine countries implementing measures to improve the quality of their dairy industries. Escaping Minnesota winters, Joe and Pat retired to Tucson where they enjoyed making new friends. Joe was an avid golfer and played two to three times per week up until the time of his death. Joe was active in many civic and industry organizations, including the Rotary Club. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church wherever he lived, and was active in the Knights of Columbus at Santa Catalina Church in Tucson. Joe was a warm and generous man who enjoyed life. He was always ready to share a story and to lend an ear. He valued his friends, loved his family, enjoyed his quiet time and was the epitome of a gentleman. He will be missed by all who knew him. Visit the online guestbook at www.VistosoFH.com or call VISTOSO FUNERAL HOME for information 520-544-2285.