Clarence "Whitey" Keevan was born November 12, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. Calvin Coolidge was president of the USA. Herbert Hoover was elected in 1929. FDR was governor of New York state and in 1933 elected president. It was another era.

Whitey faced great odds. His father Frank was a bricklayer and his mom Belle leased a whole brownstone in Brooklyn and rented out rooms.  The Keevan family lived in the basement. Frank was a hardworking man, having returned from World War 1 in France while stationed in England met Isabelle, "Belle", the future Mrs. Keevan. Incidentally, Whitey did not steer far as he also married a foreign-born woman.

Frank worked construction moving from job to job as work took him from town to town and state to state. They lived in New York, Virginia, Alabama and so on. In 1930, his older brother Frankie lost his life in a tragic accident. He was 5 years old. Whitey faced great odds…. he moved and moved as Frank raced from job to job, work crew to work crew. Sometimes being in school for a few weeks at a time. He did not protest. As an adolescent he would have liked to have been out having a good time, yet he was continually moving and helping his parents.

He was a child of the Great Depression. He grew up in a world of scarcity, of make do with little and a great deal of despair all around. There were thousands of homeless and unemployed across America. Just as a glimmer of hope emerged that the economy would improve, winds of war exploded in Europe and Asia. Again, he faced great odds. He did not complain about hard times or a missed meal. The world was engulfed in flames as Germany invaded Poland and World War 2 started. Then December 1941 and the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the USA and Japan to war. That Sunday afternoon, December 7, the Keevan's heard on the radio FDR proclaim to Congress and the nation "a day which will live in infamy."

Living through the war and following the battles around the world for 3 years, he anxiously awaited his 17th birthday. Immediately, Whitey went with Belle to the Navy recruiting station. Not being 18, he needed parental approval to join the armed forces. He joined with millions of other men and women that enlisted. There was great patriotism, a sense of purpose and no demands, just service. He left the home in Miami for boot camp in a brand-new Navy uniform. This was a generation that wanted to save the world and make it a better place for themselves and their brethren. They did not protest, they did what they had to do with courage and dedication.

In the Navy, Whitey became an electrician. He had worked with his Dad in construction jobs and had a pretty good idea of the ins and outs of electricity systems and motors. He was placed in a ship, landing ship LST 818. He tended to generators that powered the ship. He had a desk, his motors and time to learn and make friends. They sailed in the LST to the Johnson Atoll in the Pacific in a flotilla in support for the planned invasion of Japan. They went through a huge typhoon which loosened some of the cargo on the 818.

He told the story when an admiral visited the ship. They needed to look busy and he had all these motors on his desk that he was working on. In reality they were nothing more than decoys. None of them worked!

He got the top bunk in the chain-link of five bunks. He learned to drink coffee all day and smoke Lucky Strikes. Stateside, a cup of coffee was 5 cents. A good meal was $1.00. In August 1945, Japan surrendered aboard the USS Missouri. Whitey steamed in the LST to Seattle, Washington where they decommissioned the ship. He was discharged as a Petty Officer 3rd Class Electrician Mate. There is a picture of him in Navy uniform from April 1945. He is smiling, looks all of 17 years old! He discovered an exciting new world being part of the Navy.

Discharged and crossing the USA in 1946, he headed home to Miami via airplanes and trains. He wanted to return to the family life he had left behind.

He joined his Dad at Frank Keevan construction in Miami. They had some savings plus what Whitey had kept from his days in the service and started building duplexes, small houses and apartment buildings. They would sell duplexes for $5000 in Miami to returning veterans.

Then in 1950 the Korean war started as North Korean forces, with Chinese and Russian assistance, cut through the 38th parallel. Whitey was intensely patriotic and had been in the Navy reserves from 1946 to 1950. He was called back into the Navy and sent to Norfolk, Va. as Petty Officer 2nd Class.  Being an electrician, he worked on aircraft electrical equipment and gear in the USS Megara (LST 1095) for MacArthur's invasion of Korea and the supporting aircraft and carriers. While in Norfolk, Whitey met a beautiful, interesting Belgian woman, Jacqueline Gourdinne who was visiting her sister, Michelle. A budding courtship immediately emerged. Sadly, around that time, Michelle died in a tragic car accident in Virginia and Jackie returned to Belgium to be with her mother.

Endless letters tied the two together and Whitey travelled to Liege, Belgium to ask Jackie to marry him.  Finally, after a few visits to Liege and much convincing, Jackie accepted. They decided to live in America.  With no questions, Jackie's mother Meme came along as well. They could not leave Meme behind. Not many newly married couples bring their mother-in-law to live with them!

Jackie and Whitey were married on June 28, 1954, for 71 years!

They settled in Miami and started a family. Michelle was born in 1958 with Patrick close behind 13 months later.

Whitey started to bid on jobs with the US Navy at the base in Key West.  His first one was small, a $3500 bid for a cement emplacement for a radar station.  Other bids and jobs followed. The drive from Miami was long. They loved the Keys and started to look for a permanent place to live somewhere in the Lower Keys. Driving around they found their "pied a terre" in Sugarloaf Key.

Whitey and his dad Frank proceeded to build an all-wooden beach house of Georgia pine overlooking the ocean. The house was finished just prior to the new baby's arrival, Anne, in early 1965. They've lived there ever since in a house full of memories, mementos from Europe and from multiple treasure finds. The house is like a beautiful mahogany yacht of the 1920's with character, history and many wonderful nooks and crannies. It is a storied place.

More jobs with the Navy came along. The submarine base. The destroyer pier. Enlarging the runway. His business grew and he was sought after as he delivered, and his work was as good as his word. His quick net also became stronger. On the dining room table, he would spread out large blueprints, drawings, designs and proposals. Working after dinner Michelle, Patrick and Anne all learned from Whitey's hard work.

Throughout his life, Whitey was patriotic. An American flag always hangs and flies off the porch reminding everyone of country and family.

One of Whitey's great interests and hobbies was treasure hunting. In Key West he met and came across a whole group of folks with similar interests. He was attracted by the history, the search, the thrill in finding a buckle, a coin, a cannon, ballast, the remains of a 16th century ship. He read many books, went to on many trips, dives, hauling huge anchors, granite blocks destined for Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas during the Civil War. Key West in the 1800's was made by wreckers and salvage men….. Whitey and his diving buddies were the 20th Century equivalent looking for treasure. He loved the history of the Keys and wrecks and following the diary of a Key West lawyer in the 1860's published in the Key West Citizen.

In the early 70's he would drive by Shark Key and was intrigued by what could be done there. Jackie and he were finally able to acquire the whole property. He thought of cultivating shrimp, but that did not work as planned. He did develop quite a knowledge base on the life cycle of the shrimp, though! Later as land in the Keys became more valuable, he started to develop the land to sell lots and build a few houses. Michelle, Patrick and Anne worked with him in developing the roads, lots, lakes and project. It was a family affair.

Family life in Sugarloaf Key was remote, but adventurous – and full of exploration. The children grew up building mangrove forts, sailing, diving and boating, riding horses, tending turtles, art classes, and overnight trips to the Dry Tortugas and islands. Whitey and Jackie built a truly special family life in the Keys filled with love, laughter and fun.

He developed lifelong friendships in Key West. Frank Keevan & Sons employed people from all walks of life and stories. On voting day, Whitey would get everyone in his trucks and take them to the voting station. He did not care who they voted for as long as they voted.

Life always has challenges, Whitey's resilience and fortitude were essential to navigate his daughter Michelle's health throughout her life, and continued to be at the forefront, as Michelle passed away.  This was a very difficult time, but he kept the family going with strength and composure.

His later years were dedicated to family, travel and his great interest, treasure hunting. He was always interested in global affairs and could be seen reading his Wall Street Journal and watching the news.

Whitey's generation, the World War 2 generation is sadly, passing away. Fewer than 60,000 remain from 16 million service men and women. This was a generation that will not be repeated. They were truly special and we cannot think of anyone that embodies that group more than Whitey Keevan. He did not ask what's for me, he only asked to serve and help.

We have been lucky to know a person of Whitey's stature and integrity. He will carry on in our hearts and thoughts. He left a mark on all of us and we are better off having been part of his full and long life.

He was resilient, determined, kind and with a strong, guiding character. Always steering him through life and dedication to family, through the many successes, opportunities and challenges faced during his lifetime.

Whitey is survived by his children, Patrick Frank Keevan (Lynne Courchene Keevan) and Anne Keevan Finch (Carlos Ricardo Francisco Singer); and his cherished grandchildren, Danielle Keevan Pelletier (Jake Pelletier), Allison Keevan Flores (Bryan Flores), Nicholas Allen Finch, Rafe James Halpern (Ashley Halpern), Alexander Hilario Halpern (Jenna Halpern), Luke Michael Halpern, and Terry Williams. He also had three wonderful great grandchildren, Mia Michelle, River Alexander, and Paisley Quinn.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Jacqueline Gourdinne Keevan, who passed away on June 11, 2025, his parents Frank Keevan and Belle Keevan and daughter Michelle Keevan Halpern (& Michael Halpern).

Clarence "Whitey" Keevan will be laid to rest at a graveside funeral service in Miami on Wednesday July 2nd 2025, 11am, at Woodlawn Cemetery (North), located at 3260 SW 8th Street, Miami.

All who knew and loved Whitey are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable and full life. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Key West, Florida.