GOING BACK IN TIME

Our History

A man in a suit and tie is smiling for the camera.

ABOUT DANIEL KEENAN FUNERAL HOME

Daniel Keenan (Retired)

Dan Keenan knew from an early age that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a funeral director. After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy and the New York School of Embalming and Restorative Arts, Dan looked forward to the day when he could take over the business that his father had started in 1923. The business had been left to Dan’s mother, Josephine, after his father’s untimely death in 1942 at the age of 49. Dan served his apprenticeship at the Abbey Funeral Home in New York City and then spent two years in the Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the service in 1955, he returned to Albany and assumed control of the business which was still operating at the original location at the corner of Jefferson and Dove Streets.

In 1957, Dan purchased 490 Delaware Avenue, a two family house at the corner of Delaware and Sparkill Avenues and moved the business there. The business continued to expand at this location incorporating additional properties and undergoing several renovations and additions. In 1992, Dan acquired the Norman E. Dascher Funeral Home, an old Albany firm, dating back to 1893 that was originally located at the corner of Arch and Broad Streets.



Dan married Theresa “Joyce” (Dembski) Keenan in 1957. Joyce was an art teacher at Albany High School until her retirement in 1980. After retirement, she joined Dan in the business serving as vice president –secretary and utilizing her background and expertise in cosmetology, presentation, decorating and design. Dan and Joyce raised two daughters, Marie P. Keenan, a funeral director who joined the family business in 1990 and succeeded her father as president upon his retirement in 2001 and Terri DeMaria an elementary school teacher in the Bethlehem School District until her retirement in 2017. They are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, Dan, Tedi, Liam and Aine.


Dan is a member and past president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Normanside Country Club and the Helderberg Lake Community Association. He is a Communicant of St. James Church where he served as a trustee for over 35 years and is a continuing supporter and a past council president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 2004, Dan was recognized by The St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation with the Catherine McAuley Award in honor of his vision, guidance and support which has served to strengthen the mission of St. Peter’s Hospital and the work of the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Dan is an avid Notre Dame Football fan and a baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.


Both Dan and Joyce are active in community affairs, particularly the Delaware Avenue Neighborhood Association and Friend’s of the Norman’s Kill Farm. In 2002, Joyce was recognized by the Neighborhood Resource Center with the Thomas J. Senchyna Neighborhood Service Award in honor of her bold vision and outstanding leadership that has improved the quality of life in the Delaware Area Neighborhood.


Dan and Joyce are retired and spend their free time enjoying their grandchildren and their home at Helderberg Lake in East Berne.