Charles R. O'Keefe

Charles Richard O’Keefe, Sr. (“Dick”) passed away June 6, 2025, at the youthful age of 95. Dick lived a full and enriching life. He was a kind, gentle, funny, and good-hearted man, husband and father. He always treated others with respect and generosity. 

Dick was one of seven children born to Frank and Myrtle O’Keefe. Dick and his wife, Carolyn, had five children. Dick was a wonderful husband and father and imparted his kind and generous nature to his children by the way he lived his life and treated others. 

Dick is survived by his daughter Deb and son-in-law Bernie, Daughter Cindy and son-in law Roger, son Chuck, son Tom, son-in-law Steve, ten grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Dick is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn and daughter, Sharon. 

Dick enjoyed “fine cuisine” and “healthy” eating. His favorite dishes included oil-soaked sardines eaten straight from the can with Saltine crackers, a liverwurst sandwich on white bread coated with yellow mustard, Miller High Life (two after work), pickled herring (with Saltine crackers, again) and steak cooked over charcoal with a baked potato. Friday nights were reserved for fish fries.

Dick graduated from West High School in Rockford, Illinois where he played basketball, football and golf. Dick was an avid and accomplished golfer throughout his life. It was commonplace to find Dick at the golf course with a King Edward cigar in his mouth strolling down the fairway early Saturday and Sunday mornings doing what he enjoyed most.

Dick spent most of his life in the potato chip and snack business eventually striking out on his own with O'Keefe Distributors driving around southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in a poorly heated truck tending to his customers who, without exception, genuinely appreciated his kindness, dependability and honesty. Later in life, Dick landed his dream jobs - mowing fairways at the Macktown and Red Barn golf courses where he could play golf for free after work or at any other time.

Dick will be dearly missed by his children and those who had the good fortune to know him.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Burial will conclude in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick's name to the O'Keefe family for a memorial to be established later at one of his favorite golf courses.

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