Stanley E. Kehoe

Stanley Edward (“Bick”) Kehoe, 89, left us for his new home in Heaven on September 13 at his daughter’s home surrounded by his loving family.  Stan was born on September 19, 1924 in Gloucester, MA to the late Arthur Leighton and Eunice (Masters) Kehoe.

As a young man of only 20, Stan served his country honorably during World War II as a Medical Technician in the 3 ^rd Army, 5th Infantry Division of the United States Army, earning two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star for his heroic actions during combat.  After the War, Stan lived in Boston where he met his future wife Salwa (“Sally”) Sabbagh and together they shared 38 years of marriage and three children.  While married, they loved spending time together whether it was their many weekend trips to the coast of Maine, visiting family and friends in Gloucester and Boston or working together on their business partnerships.

Stan worked for many years for the Boston Globe in the composing room before retiring.  He spent summers with his wife at Revere Beach.  He also helped Sally’s family run the popular Cyclone roller coaster and later owning and operating “Fred’s”, a large food concession stand in front of the Cyclone.

Stan was a humble man and while he’d be the last to admit it, a man of many talents.  One of his great gifts was his love of oil painting and while never receiving formal instruction, he painted a number of pictures . His family is blessed to have paintings he created to enjoy and treasure.  He loved to read poetry, especially Robert Frost, and always looked for new things to learn whether it was taking a course in Mandarin Chinese, practicing Tai Chi, attending Bible Study with friends from Stratford Street United Church, or making improvements around his home and the homes of his children.  From childhood he loved dogs and they loved him.  While several dogs populated the family household, during the final months of Stan’s life, his daughter’s dog “Lincoln” kept him company during the day and slept faithfully by his side at night.

Family was important to Stan.  He loved any reason to have a BBQ at his house during the summer or to gather the extended Kehoe, Sabbagh and Pierce families together at holidays.  His forte at family dinners was apple pie, much admired but never truly replicated.  But, perhaps most importantly,  Stan was a gifted care-giver and was always present to support, encourage and care for others in times of need.

Stan will be missed by so many, especially his family.  His children include his son, Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Kehoe, USN and wife Linda Coccola of Mendon, MA; daughters Diana (Kehoe) Thorpe of Hopedale, MA; and Deborah (Kehoe) and husband Raymond Cormier of Traverse City, MI; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Sabbagh of Needham, MA and Anna Jane Sabbagh of Westfield, NJ; grandchildren Michelle Cormier of Nashville, TN; Ryan Cormier of Traverse City, MI;  Sergeant Matthew Thorpe, USA of Ft. Benning, GA, Conner and Zachary Thorpe of Hopedale, MA; and Haley and Spencer Kehoe of Bellingham, MA.  In addition he leaves his nephews Robert Pierce of Winston-Salem, NC and Bruce Pierce of Gloucester, MA – sons of Stan’s sister Barbara Pierce who preceded him in death.  Beloved nieces and nephews include George Sabbagh of Needham, MA; Catherine (Sabbagh) and her husband John McCoy and their children in Bend, OR; Cynthia Sabbagh of Needham, MA; Renee (Sabbagh) and her husband Erik Vanopijnen and their children as well as many other family and friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife Sally; his brother Arthur L. Kehoe, Jr.; his sister, Barbara (Kehoe) Pierce; his niece, Judith Pierce and his brothers-in-law Edward Sabbagh, husband of Mary Ann; and James Sabbagh husband of Anna Jane.

A visitation will be held for Stan on Thursday, September 18 at Folsom Funeral Home, 63 Belgrade Avenue in Roslindale MA from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  A service of celebration and thanksgiving for Stan’s life will be held on Friday, September 19 at the Stratford Street United Church, 77 Stratford Street, West Roxbury, MA at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be held at the Gardens at Gethsemane, 670 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA

Memorial contributions to honor Stan’s life may be directed to the Stratford Street United Church at the above address or to  the Wounded Warrier Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.