Robert Hilands McKeon

August 6, 2016

Robert Hilands McKeon, husband of the late Beverly (Shorey) McKeon, both lifetime residents of West Hartford, CT, passed away on Saturday August 6, 2016 at home. Bob was a managing partner of McKeon Wine & Spirits and owned McKeon Motors with his wife Bev. He was involved for over 25 years in civic work with the American Cancer Society and HARC, Inc. Bob is survived by his son Edward R. McKeon, who has been his care-taker for the last five years and who was named after Eddie Gourinski, a close Army friend killed in action in 1953; daughter Kathleen M. Demetrius, her husband Richard and their daughter ZuZu; son Bobby Zieglar, his wife Jen Johnston; granddaughter, Danielle Borges, her husband, Hector and their four children, Rosy, Corey, Pamela and Frankie. Bob also leaves his sister-in-law Shirley Gandza, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by those special people closest to his heart, Connie Samuelian; Mike, Alison, Aaron, Katie and the late Robert Burke; Ernie & Carrie Kent, and Godsons Michael, Keith and Jeff Kent. He was predeceased by his children, Mike, Pam and Robbie as well as many other relatives and friends. Bob was kind, loving and always there to provide emotional support to those that needed it. People were very important to Bob. All that he met made a lasting impression on his life, molding him to be the compassionate and committed person he was to so many. He always remembered those that passed before him and wrote in his journal, “Their bodies are gone, but their spirit lives on, if we keep it so.” A service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held Thursday, August 11th, at 10 a.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, with full military honors. Calling hours are Wednesday, August 10th from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit molloyfuneralhome.com for more about Bob’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HARC, Inc. 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105. If Bob could have his way, his obituary would be a full size newspaper. People were so important to him, and he wanted to mention everyone. In July 2015, he wrote and wanted to give thanks to everyone who has been a part of his life’s journey. Bob knew so many people, if he knew you, he loved you and he knew you loved him. The following is a list of people that were not mentioned in the obituary that was listed in the newspaper. He wrote it late in life, so if he left off your name, it was an oversight due to age, trust us when we say, if he knew you, you were important. He was predeceased by his parents Phil and Margaret (Hilands) McKeon, nephews Peter Jasut, Anthony Valenches, Stephen & Jimmy McKeon; sisters Mabel Jasut, Doris Valenches; his only Brother, Phil McKeon; friends Myles Roland, Peter Adams, Randy Macdonald, Eileen (Yush) Campbell, Mike Battalino, Hank Ciccale (Rev), Jack Flattery, Les Stevens, James Pesac. He is survived by nieces Barbara Lesi, her husband Peter Lesi, Susan McKeon, her husband David, Beth McKeon, great nephew Michael Valenches and Jeannette, great niece Jennifer Valenches & great-great niece Kayla, great-great nephew Braden Valenches and great nephew David McKeon son of Jimmy McKeon & Karen Midura,of Hartford, great nephew Zachary McKeon, great niece & nephew, Erica & James McKeon, niece Brenda & Jeff Brede & their sons, Matt & Doug, niece, Carol & Scott Zanke & their children Scott & Nancy and Nephew Michael & Donna Gandza & their son Nicholas. This is a list of friends that were an important part of his life. All of the Samuelian’s, Roland Godbout, Cindy Morin, all the Maxwell’s, all the Gallicchio’s, all the Gaffey’s, all the Amato’s, all the Egan’s, all the Molloy’s, all the Burkes & Millers, all the Friends at West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center, all the Friends at Andrew House Nursing home, Bob’s Mentor Sid Koppell, Bob’s special Angel Bess Koppell, Pete & Elaine Adams, Pam Macdonald, Terry & Jen Macdonald Jack & Dottie Macdonald, Babe & Pat Pasqualicci, Donny Peterson, Charlie Coleman, Carl Traseci, Tony & Cynthia Ungaro, Fred Minney, Very Special Ann (Mrs Erle) Martin, Mrs. W. R. Robbins, Mr. B.J. MacNamara, Ross & Susie Hatch, Dinna Fenn, Mr & Mrs Esmond Ewing, Bice Clemow, Deni & Mrs. Mullane, Eliza Quarrier, Jane Tate, The Tenore’s & Pantages, John & Mrs. Rohrbach, Joe Caruso, The Montanos, Kieth Brown, Bob & Gloria Gaskas, Janice (Farr) Cromack, Janice Strucks, John Mainello, The Von Paternos family, The Roland Family, Patrick Baldwin family, Jonathon Chatfield, Chris Starr, Ed & Haesouk, Connington, Tom Perrone, Brad Bliven, George & Vina and Lisa Odelious, Joan & Ray Boudreau Family, June & John Clark, Mike & Dee Battalino, Joy & Julius Bacci, Bernie Meucci, Isobel & Bennie Meucci, Roland & Maureen Blake, Bob Demetrius & Christine, Walt Cwikla, Doug Burton, Steve Moffet, Bob & Penny Skendarian, Jim & Mary Donohue, Eileen & Mac Campbell, Brian & Fran Buden, George & Lourde Altobello Gronbach, the Brian Steinetz family, Tracy Steinetz, Jack Bannan, Charlie & Clara Fogarty, Charlie & Sheila Ray Vendetti, Al & Betty Whitely, Joe Duva & Duva Family, special Cousins, John & Dorothy Davenport, The Roueche’s, Cheryl & Jay Stromdale, Over the Pond, Lynn McDonald, Mary Patterson. Irene (Stephenson) McGregor, He Aspired to his Father & cousin Col. Albert Hilands Acher the way he lived his short life., Art & Jean Hammerland, The Hagedorn’s, Ellen & Paul Rutherford, And a very special friend to all of the McKeon’s Gary Toubman., Tony & Joan Dante, And of course, all of those friends that Bob made at McKeon Wine & Spirit & McKeon Motors all so loyal to Bob.