MICHAEL G.  KEEGAN

Mike Keegan was born and raised in Ticonderoga, New York on September 28, 1946.  He was the first of five children born to Bernard and Beaulah (Thatcher) Keegan.  His siblings include his brothers - Bernard Keegan Jr. of Essex Junction Vermont, and Patrick Keegan of Albany, New York and two sisters – Mary Robinson of Shrewsbury Vermont, and Sarah Morin of Ticonderoga.  Mike graduated Ticonderoga High School in June 1964. 

Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps August 1964, still at the age of 17.  He served as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps until August 1968.  He was a helicopter hydraulics mechanic, however during his 13-month Vietnam tour, he also served as gunner for two months.  He served his tour of duty in Vietnam from April 1966 – May 1967.  Mike served with squadrons:  HMM 265 and HMM 262 and his tours of duty include:  Da Nang, Kasong, Marble Mountain, and Phu Bei.

Michael Keegan and Doris J. Bush of Ticonderoga, New York married on September 7, 1968 and together they raised three daughters.  Mike worked at International Paper Company for 35 years.  He retired on March 1, 2004.  He also was the owner of Keegan’s Retail Firearms established in 1986.  He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League.  He was also a member of the Essex County Leathernecks and served as Armor.  He was an avid hunter (AKA:  “The Great White Hunter” to his daughters), although his family often wondered how much hunting was actually accomplished.  He was a member of the Antler Club, Big Moose, New York. 

In September 2003, Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  He lost the battle on March 12, 2004.

About his survivors:

Daughters:

“Number 1” – Julie (Keegan) Duncan:  Currently an intelligence Captain in the United States Air Force and stationed in Arizona with her two sons, Jarrod Bryant and Sean Duncan.  She has been in the Air Force 19 years with 14 years of prior enlisted service (highest enlisted rank held was E-6, Technical Sergeant).  Julie has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom twice.    Fondest Memory:  Her father pinned on her 2Lt bars at her commissioning ceremony at Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in November 2002. 

“Number 2” – Kelly (Keegan) Guliano: Currently waiting to attend the academy for the FBI.   Kelly was enlisted in the United States Air Force from July 1990 – December 1999 and worked as an intelligence analyst.  Highest rank held was E-5, Staff Sergeant.  Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in biology sciences. Currently she is a prviate investigator for the state of Arizona.   Fondest Memory:  Her father walking her down the aisle at her wedding in Tucson, Arizona May 2000—Mike turns to Kelly and says, “I really like how your hair looks today because for once it isn’t in a military style.”

“Number 3” – Heather (Keegan) Jordon:  Currently living in Ticonderoga, New York.  She has an associate’s degree in business.  She is currently working at the Super 8. Heather has one daughter, Lindsay Jordon.  Fondest Memory: The fondest memory was working along side her father with the Essex County Leathernecks with such tasks as the parades, cemetary's, sorting the ammo and helping with the floats.

Favorite sayings:

“The point being….” –Because there generally wasn’t any point to his ramblings

“I don’t care what you call or say to me as long as you say it with a smile on your face”

“Happy Hour!”

“Now, in so far as…”

“I like my groceries”

“The correct and proper way…”

“Hard to fly with the eagles, when you work with a bunch of turkeys”—Said about working at International Paper

“Be nice…I didn’t teach you to act like that!” –Said mainly to Number 2 quite often

“You’re a little quirky, aren’t you??”  -Mainly said to Number 1

“You must have a lot of stored up couth because you never use any” –Said to Number 1 & Number 3 OFTEN!!!

“Is that right?”

“Mercy”

“For $#%@$ and giggles…”

"Improvise, Adapt and Overcome....."