February 6
Joseph D. Keffer, O.S.A.
  1920-2005

February 6 is the anniversary of Joseph D. Keffer.

Joseph Donald Keffer, son of John Keffer and Estella (Poist) Keffer, was born on October 22, 1920 in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania. He had seven brothers and one sister. On October 24, 1920, he was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in McSherrystown, where he received his early education at the parish school from 1926 to 1934. From 1934 to 1938, he attended Central Catholic High School where he was elected class vice-President and then President. Joseph excelled in high school basketball and football. From 1938 to 1941, he studied Business at Villanova College. In 1941, he became a post graduate postulant at Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, New York. On September 9, 1942, he was received into the novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel, New Hamburg, New York, and professed first vows on September 10, 1943. He then returned to Villanova, and in June 1944, graduated with a B.A. degree in Philosophy. He studied theology at Augustinian College and did graduate work in Education and Economics at Villanova and at Catholic University in Washington, DC. Joseph professed solemn vows on September 10, 1946, and on June 10, 1947, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John M. McNamara, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC.

In 1948, Father Keffer received his first assignment to St. Mary’s parish in Waterford, New York. Then in September of 1948, he became Sub-Master at Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, where he remained until August 1952, when he joined the community at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC, where, for the next ten years, he taught Religion and Latin, and served as Director of Athletics and Moderator of the School Band. For a period of time he was Community Treasurer. From July 1962 to August 1967, he was Master of Professed at St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova. For a year, beginning 1967, he served as Master of Brothers at Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate where he was also Prior and treasurer for three years.

For the next 34 years of his life, (1971-2005) Father Keffer served as associate pastor, pastor, Prior and treasurer in different parishes. In Pennsylvania: St. Denis, Havertown, St. Genevieve, Flourtown, and St. Thomas of Villanova. In Massachusetts: pastor, Prior and Treasurer at St. Augustine Parish, Andover. In New York: St. Mary’s Waterford, St. Joseph, Greenwich, and St. Augustine in Troy.

Father Joe was devoted to Eucharistic Adoration and Veneration of Mary, the Mother of God, and fostered these devotions wherever he was stationed. Toward the end of his life he battled cancer and heart problems, but continued to work in parochial ministry until his death.

One confrere wrote, after living with Father Joe at the novitiate, “I was immediately affected by his humility, patience, and deep spirituality; his influence on my life was both profound and long lasting.”

Another shared, “Fr. Keffer was a tremendously gifted pastoral minister. He always made time to visit people in the various parishes in which he served with great compassion and concern while maintaining a constant and devoted prayer life.”

Father Keffer died peacefully on February 6, 2005. A liturgy of the Resurrection was celebrated on February 10, at St. Augustine church, Troy, NY On February 11, a second liturgy was celebrated at St. Thomas Church, Villanova, PA. Interment was held at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

†
 
Share your own reflection on this friar by filling out the following form. Reflections will be posted to this page soon after your reflection is received. Thank you for taking part in this interactive necrology.
 
Name of Friar:
Reflection Author:
Email Address:
Reflection:
Post Anonymously:

Reflection by Myles Glasgow:

I was 20 years old at St. Mary's in 1962 and remember how well this pretty old priest (42 years of age) drove to the basket and loved the competition from the best. I still think of Fr. Keffer as the model of one's staying in shape while aging, and of wanting to win. I am sure he had the same approach to his spiritual life. Thank God.

Reflection by Bill O'Connor, O.S.A. Secular:

I met Joe in 1969 upon my arrival at Good Counsel Novitiate, where he was Prior. As one of the first friars I had the privilege to live with after entering the Order fresh out of Bonner, I was immediately affected by his humility, patience, and deep spirituality; his influence on my life was both profound and long lasting. Among many great memories, I will especially never forget his kindness, both in the fraternal and paternal sense, when delivering the news mid-year that my mother had undergone an unexpected radical mastectomy; I am quite sure that his prayers and those of my brothers aided her recovery from a most serious operation. He developed a special relationship with my grandmother beginning that year, visiting her with other friars in tow during the summers at her Lake George, NY cottage, celebrating the Eucharist utilising an ironing board in the living room as an altar. His influence is one of the many reasons why I am still an Augustinian to this day. One particular attribute that was most appreciated (& constantly on display in my case that year!), was his discreet ability to seemingly not hear the occasional outburst over either a missed shot / broken play on the basketball court or, perhaps more frequently, over having scored on me once again while teaching me his beloved game of handball! Whenever I saw him over the years, he remained a "gentleman" in every sense of the word. May he rest in the Peace he strove for and served throughout his life.

Reflection by Jim McCartney, O.S.A.:

Although Joe and I crossed swords many times during my Senior year at St. Mary's Hall, the most significant memory that I have of Joe is that he literally saved my vocation at the end of my Sophomore year in College. I entered his office intending to be released from vows, but his fatherly counsel and guidance helped me to put my problems in perspective, to seek a spiritual director, and to once again recommit myself to the Augustinian way of life. RIP

Reflection by Denis Wilde, O.S.A.:

Fr. Joe Keffer was a kind and gentle man with a wholesome way of connecting with youth. I remember his playing in various seminary sports as master of professed - dubbed "the Kefferbopper" or "KB" while I was at Saint Mary's Hall. When my grandmother died he was most helpful to me. Over the years we reminisced about those days and enjoyed visits which showed his enjoyment of parish life. My trips with Priests for Life took me to Hannover, PA, and the neighboring people of McSherrystown spoke nobly of Fr Joe.

Reflection by Ralph Monteiro, O.S.A.:

Back in 1962 Joe became the master of professed at Saint Mary's Hall. When my father had his first massive heart attack in August, Joe arranged for my getting home to see my father in the hospital before my solemn vows and to visit with my mother and brother. I have never forgetten that kindness toward my family because in those days we had such strict rules against home visits. His decision in my favor played no small part in my ability to continue with my decision of making solemn vows that September since I had gained reassurance that my family did not need me at that time.

Reflection by Keith Hollis, O.S.A.:

Fr. Keffer was a tremedously gifted pastoral minister. He always made time to visit people in the various parishes in which he served with great compassion and concern while maintaining a constant and devoted prayer life. He aided and companioned many people in their journey to God while encouaging them to never lose trust and faith in God. I often would see him in his room praying the Divine Office at any hour of the day, and, at times, late at night. May his devotion to our fraternity and the Spirit of Augustine inspire us all to pray constantly in his memory and the blessed hope in which our restless hearts will find rest. We know and trust that our brother Joe is enjoying his rest and peace in God.

Reflection by John L.McCabe, DDS:

I roomed with Joe at New Hamburg, having entered in June 1943,late in his Novitiate year.Joe was extremely kind and helpful to me in those early days of such a new and different experience for me. What has been said of his priestly life thereafter fits in perfectly with the person helping me when help was needed. That he eventually became SubMaster at the Novitiate is no surprise at all. He was indeed most likeable and most respected, and obviously well suited to guide others.
Reflection by Thomas J. Higman:

I didn't know Father Keffer all that long, but after hearing many stories about this man I feel like I had known him for years.

I would often visit my former pastor and good friend, Father James T. Spenard, OSA, in Troy where Father Keffer was assigned. As Father Jim would take a phone call or greet someone at the door, Father Keffer and I would engage in a conversation ranging from my feelings about the seminary to the latest sports score.

He inspired me the most through his humility and total gift of self. As Father Keffer progessed in age he never stopped giving of himself.

I can say that I had the privillage of serving Father's funeral mass in Troy, and aided him with my prayers as he went home to the Father's House. I now can only ask that he pray for me as I continue my studies towards holy priesthood.

Reflection by Rdr Michael Bishop:

I remember three occasions with Fr. Joseph. In Latin class I wrote something like "he do" and Fr. Joseph corrected my English and said lovingly, "Colored people do this all the time." That was a valuable English lesson for me and I share it with others. I also remember his comments in class about a Byzantine Rite Liturgy and in another class when he asked each one of us what grade do we think that we will get and I said "A" and he said that this is true humility, knowing what one is worth. That was another wonderful lesson which I am still trying to learn. I am very grateful for all that he taught me. May his memory be eternal.