Richard O'Keefe in uniform during WWII Richard Joseph O'Keefe, a World War II veteran who was stationed in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, died June 19, 2008. According to his family, he never forgot the years he served his country, nor the lives that were lost in that attack. He was 86 years old and lived in Copiague since 1997.

Though the military draft was in place, Mr. O'Keefe signed up for the U.S. Army and took his training in Hawaii. He was later promoted to Sergeant and was a combat swimming instructor. He even had the opportunity to swim with Buster Crabbe and Johnny Weismuller, Olympic swimmers from the 1930s.

Mr. O'Keefe was also a champion speed skater, and later on won the "Brooklyn Skates" competition.

Following his discharge from the army in 1945, Mr. O'Keefe became an electrician for Local 3 in New York. Following his retirement, he took on various hobbies, according to his daughter Eileen Rudolph.

"He liked to tinker around, and he was a real 'junker'" she said with a laugh. "He fixed radios and all kinds of electronics."

Mr. O'Keefe had a passion for flowers, and loved gardening. But his true passion, said his children, was his family.

His son Michael remembers his father as "an amazing man; "he did anything for his family," he said. "His family came first, and he came second."

"He was a wonderful father and grandfather, with a big heart," said his daughter. "He was very giving to his family."

In addition to his daughter Eileen Rudolph and her husband Bob of Copiague and his son Michael and his wife Marie, also of Copiague, Mr. O'Keefe is survived by his other children: Kathryn Owens and her husband Dennis of Massapequa and Richard of Levittown. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Peter, Laurie, Kaitlyn, Diane, Amanda, Taylor and William, and his great grandchildren "little" Peter and Michael.

Mr. O'Keefe reposed at D'Andrea Brothers Funeral Home, 99 Oak St., Copiague. A burial, with full military honors was in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury June 21, 2008. Deacon John Hickey officiated there with prayer services.