NORTH SCITUATE — Reverend Francis J. Keefe, 84, pastor emeritus of St. Joseph Parish in North Scituate, died on Thursday, May 4, 2017.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, a son of the late Francis and Mary (McCabe) Keefe, he attended Holy Trinity School in Central Falls and St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick, and at the American College in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1958, in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
After a summer assignment at St. Mary Parish in Carolina, Father Keefe served as assistant pastor at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Pawtucket (1958-69) and at St. Martha Parish in East Providence (1969-72). In May 1972, he was appointed pastor of the American parish in Louvain, Belgium, and served there until February 1978. After his return to the diocese, he was named assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Pawtucket in 1978 and became pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ashton in June 1979.
In June 1990, due to ill health, Father Keefe resigned as pastor and became assistant pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ashton. In January 1992, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in North Scituate and remained there until his retirement as pastor emeritus in March 2001.
In addition to his parochial duties, Father Keefe served as chaplain for Alhambra Circle, Daughters of Isabella and as a member of the Building Commission for the Diocese of Providence. He also served as a chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea USA.
After his retirement from parish administration, Father Keefe resided at the St. John Vianney Residence in Providence and assisted in various parishes.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of his soul was offered on May 10, 2017 at St. Joseph Church, North Scituate with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant. Bishops Robert C. Evans and Louis E. Gelineau and other priests concelebrated the Mass. Monsignor Paul Theroux, pastor of Holy Apostles Church in Cranston, was the homilist.
Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Cumberland.
