Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc.

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 1993 and succeeded her father as president upon his retirement in 2001 and Terri DeMaria an elementary school teacher in the Bethlehem School District since 1983.

They are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, Daniel and Tedi DeMaria and Liam and Aine Tobin. 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.

Marie Keenan joined the family business as a second career in 1993. Born and raised in Albany, Marie graduated from Mercy High School, Syracuse University where she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition, and from Hudson Valley Community College where she received an Associate"s Degree in mortuary Science. Marie is a third generation funeral director, following in the family tradition started by her grandfather, Daniel A. Keenan in 1923 and her father Daniel G. Keenan.

Upon her Dad"s retirement Marie became President of the Corporation. She is an active working mom and is involved with her children"s school and sporting events. She is a member of the National Funeral Directors and New York State Funeral Directors Associations, a member of the Board of Associates at the College of St. Rose, and a former officer and current member of the Bethlehem Business Womens Club.

Marie lives in Delmar with her two children Liam and Aine. Gary F. O"Connor, originally from Cairo, NY (Greene County), Gary is a first generation funeral director, having entered funeral service as a second career after twelve years of managerial experience in the hospitality industry. He earned an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from HVCC in 1993 and after completing his residency with the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., he became a licensed Funeral Director with the firm in 1994.

Gary is single and lives in Albany. He is a communicant of St. James Church where he is a member of the adult choir, the Resurrection Choir and a cantor at Sunday Mass. He participates in fund raising activities at the church and is a financial supporter of the food pantry. Gary is a member of the National Funeral Directors and the New York State Funeral Directors Associations.