James Coleman (Jim) Keegan, 93, of Melbourne Florida passed away on Tuesday, October 18 in Hospice care at Viera Hospital.
Jim was born November 7, 1922 to James Joseph and Edna Coleman Keegan in Brooklyn, New York. Jim was raised in Bayside Queens and graduated from Bayside High School in 1940. He received a B.S. degree in Economics from St. John University in Brooklyn, New York in 1943. Upon graduation he attended Columbia Midshipman School and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in April , 1943. Jim initially served in the North Atlantic theater on mine-sweepers and destroyers until he was transferred to the South Pacific theater and was made the Executive Officer, First Lieutenant in command of an armed supply ship, which was outfitted to conduct anti-submarine operations. After the war, Jim continued his service in the Navy as a reservist.
Jim was employed as a marine insurance adjuster for his entire career in New York City. He started his career with Royal Globe Insurance Company. After a few years he joined Despard an insurance brokerage firm which was purchased by Fred S. James Company and which subsequently became Sedgwick James Company. Jim retired from Sedgwick James in 1985.
Jim married Elaine Fay Hitchins in November of 1946. They lived together first in Bayside, New York and then in Hillsdale, New Jersey, until they retired to Melbourne, Florida in 1985.
Jim is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Elaine; children, James F. Keegan and his wife Carolyn; Patricia Ann Priestas, and her husband Lee Priestas; and Kenneth Brian Keegan, and his wife, Lisa. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Jim's memorial page at www.davisseawinds.com