| History was probably the most fun subject for me in school. I had Mr. Engels twice - once for World History, and once for ancient history. He was such a nice man. He had a wry , understated sense of humor; you had to listen carefully for him to slip in a funny turn of phrase, but his twinkling eyes were always giving him away. Pete Young and I were in his World History class, and being veteran troublemakers from grade school, we sat along the window row, and we just knew we were going to have some fun in his class. It didn`t take long for Mr. Engels to figure out that we were up to no good, and after just a couple of weeks Mr. Engels suggested a special assignment for me. He asked me to do "independent study" in the library, pick a topic, do some research, and in several weeks report back to the class. Well, of course I was so flattered by this attention that I didn`t realize he was breaking up the old gang, and removing a distraction, at the same time I was feeling so special about my report on the Battle of Tours. I still smile when I think about it. He showed the same kindness to my father when he took an investment class that Mr. Engels put on for adults in the evenings. My father took his "investments" quite seriously, although he had so little that handling his account was strictly an act of charity on the part of Mr. Engels, who nevertheless treated my father with great dignity. Of all the fine teachers we had, Mr. Engels was one of the best. |
| John M. Keenan
March 10, 2008 John M. Keenan, 77, of Baldwinsville, passed away after a long illness. Born in Syracuse, he was raised in New York City and graduated from Straubenmueller Textile High School in Manhattan. He enlisted with the Marines and served tours of duty in Italy and Korea, where he received a Purple Heart for serious wounds suffered in the Detroit Raid in March 1953. CLOBFLAG CLOBFLAGFollowing a lengthy recovery, he returned to New York and went on to receive a bachelor`s degree in Economics from Manhattan College and a master`s degree in Education from Syracuse University. In 1955, he met and married Dorothy King, a commercial artist from New York then with Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, Inc. (BBD&0); she predeceased him in 1969. Mr. Keenan spent his entire 31-year teaching career in the Baldwinsville School District, where he taught American History and Introduction to Economics. In 1970, he married Linda Zimmerman, also a teacher in the Baldwinsville Schools. Mr. Keenan was a past president of the Baldwinsville Teacher`s Association, advisor to the C.W. Baker High School Chapter of the National Honor Society, and advisor to the Key Club. He retired in 1991. He enjoyed tennis, travel, restoring antique boats, and sailing Lake Ontario from Oswego to Alexandria Bay. Mr. Keenan successfully battled cancer using conventional surgery and chemotherapy, as well as experimental ultra high dose intravenous vitamin-c, until an unrelated medical condition forced him to suspend treatment. He is survived by his wife, Linda; sister, Mary Ann Keenan; son Brett, and several cousins. Mr. Keenan was greatly loved and is deeply missed. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer St., Baldwinsville. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. Contributions: Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088 or to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208. Falardeau Funeral Home Online Guest Book At FalardeauFH.com
Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 3/12/2008.
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