[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E949-E950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MICHAEL ``MICKEY'' O'KEEFE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LORI TRAHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2023

  Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the 
tremendous contributions, service, and legacy of Sergeant Michael 
``Mickey'' O'Keefe, a retired Lowell Police Sergeant, United States 
Army Veteran, boxer, and Lowell legend who left an immeasurable impact 
on those who knew and loved him. He passed away peacefully on September 
14, 2023.
  Mickey was born in the City of Lowell in 1948. He attended Lowell 
High School where he met the love of his life, Donna, and the pair were 
married for 54 years. Together, they proudly raised their four sons, 
Shaun, Timothy, Brian, and Keith.
  After high school graduation, Mickey proudly served his country in 
the United States Army, embarked on a successful boxing career, and 
joined the Lowell Fire Department for a short period of time before 
landing at the Lowell Police Department where his decorated career 
spanned three decades. During his thirty-four years at the Department, 
Mickey climbed the ranks and ultimately earned the title of Sergeant. 
His fellow police officers respected him

[[Page E950]]

because of his integrity, leadership, and steadfast dedication to his 
team and the community they protected. Over the span of his career, 
Mickey was honored with several medals that reflected his heroic 
actions while wearing the badge. But staying true to his character, he 
would always humbly give credit to the people who worked alongside him 
rather than take it for himself.
  Throughout his life, Mickey had a passion for fitness, specifically 
boxing. During his boxing career, he won countless matches, notably, a 
Silver Mittens and a Golden Gloves championship. But Mickey's real 
passion would lie in mentoring young people in Lowell. He knew the 
impact boxing had on him when he was young and dedicated himself to 
training young boxers, most notably ``Irish'' Mickey Ward. The devotion 
he showed to the sport and to the young people he trained was 
recognized by the Golden Gloves of America, which awarded him with a 
Lifetime Achievement Award.
  Mickey was a fixture in the boxing community. ``Irish'' Mickey Ward 
credited him as the person who reignited his love for boxing and 
wouldn't allow him to quit. Mickey helped him train and win the World 
Boxing Union's Intercontinental light welterweight title in 1996. 
Because of Ward's remarkable career, Mark Walberg approached Mickey to 
play himself in the 2010 movie, ``The Fighter'', and from then on 
amongst his family he was dubbed ``Hollywood Gramps''. Throughout it 
all, Mickey remained the same down-to-earth person he had always been.
  Mickey's love for the City of Lowell was unmatched. He and Donna were 
always looking for ways to contribute to their community. They welcomed 
anyone who was in need to their house with open arms and in turn 
touched countless lives throughout the years. They passed these traits 
of kindness, respect, and sense of community to their children and 
grandchildren. The Lowell community was fortunate enough to have had 
Mickey in their corner for so many years and he will be deeply missed.
  Mickey O'Keefe will be remembered for his love for his family and 
friends, his kindness to those around him, his distinguished 
professional career, and his immense impact on the City of Lowell. My 
heart goes out to his loving wife, Donna, his four sons, Shaun, 
Timothy, Brian, and Keith, and the entire O'Keefe family during this 
difficult time. Mickey's legacy will live on through his loving family 
and all who had the honor of knowing him.

                          ____________________