Joseph Patrick Keely, Sr 79, passed away peacefully on May, 6, 2025 in Hackettstown, NJ.
He was born on June 1, 1945 in the Bronx to the late Patrick Joseph Keely and Agnes McDonnell Keely. Joe married Virginia Hyler on August 7, 1971 at Assumption Church in Morristown, NJ and they had two children. They raised their family in Succasunna and both lived in Newton at the time of their respective passing.
Joe was a proud US Marine and served as Staff Sergeant from 1964-1968 doing two tours in Vietnam. He was in the Marine Reserves until 1980. A New Jersey State Trooper for 26 years, he rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant First Class and was a fingerprint expert and skillful crime scene investigator. During the investigation into the fatal shooting of Trooper Phillip Lamonaco, Detective SFC Keely discovered the integral piece of evidence that broke the case and resulted in the capture and arrest of the perpetrators. After he retired from NJSP, he worked security for the North Jersey Watershed Unit until he retired from that position five years ago.
An accomplished bagpiper, Joe was a founding member of the Cu’Chullain Pipe Band in 1977. During these years, he would play events for the State Police. He had an idea and in 1986, Joe petitioned Colonel Pagano with a plan to start the New Jersey State Police Pipe Band. The first state police pipe band in the country. The formation, growth and success of this band would become Joe’s sole purpose for many years. Later in his piping career, Joe would help in the founding of the St Ann’s of Hampton Pipe Band and the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums. He was also a former member of Leatherneck Pipes and Drums. He was a legend in the pipe band community and his influence was far reaching, inspiring many other pipe bands to share their tradition and musical talent with their community.
Joe wrote the book “Wounds of the Heart” which shared personal reflections from him and other Vietnam veterans. The preface reads, “This is for my children and my children’s children so that they may know that their father/grandfather served his country along with 2,909,918 other men and women in uniform in Vietnam.”
Joe is survived by daughter, Deirdre and husband Matthew Wood; son, Joe and wife, Debbie; granddaughter, Erin Keely Wood; sister, Maureen Robinson and husband, John; brothers, Bob Daley and Terry Smith; niece, Eileen Saum and Noreen Robinson and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joe was pre-deceased by his parents, Patrick Joseph Keely and Agnes McDonnell, his dear wife Virginia (Bunny) Keely and his nephew, John Walker Robinson III.
When he passed, Joe was surrounded by his loving family and his care team aka “The Girls”. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the amazing care these women provided Joe during the last 4 years.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church, 2 E. Springtown Road, and Long Valley. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Joe’s family would request blood donations or donations to the Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold, P.O. Box 456, Chester, NJ 07930, njsppipeband.org in his honor.
For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com
12 Condolences for Keely, Sr., Joseph Patrick
Condolences(12)
Christopher V. Sakos says
May 9, 2025 at 5:10 pmThe entire Sakos family (Close cousins of his late wife, Bunny), send our most sincere condolences. Joe was a great guy. His in-laws were my god parents, and, me and my family, when my 3 kids were little, would stop in once in a while and say hello when they were in Succasaunna. He was a good man. His veteran status is admired, and, will never be forgotten . My twin boys served, and, still serve, in the military and saw front line combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was hoping that one they could have met up. Rest in peace, Joe! Till we meet again. ——————-__—Sincerly, Christopher V. Sakos
Joseph Lake Jr NJSP and Janet says
May 9, 2025 at 5:26 pmJoe’s obituary is beautifully written. He was a proud NJ Trooper and excellent crime scene investigator, husband, father and grandfather. The years go by so quickly. Joe and Bunny were good friends. They are together forever. Rest in peace both of you.
Janet Lake says
May 9, 2025 at 6:01 pmJoe created NJSP Bagpipe Band, he was determined. He worked very hard to perfect his playing and promote it. Bunny Keely worked equally as hard creating the the uniform for the band. She spent countless hours sewing at her kitchen table. I witnessed it first hand. God bless them both.
Colleen S. Hughes says
May 10, 2025 at 12:38 amOur fami!y was blessed when Terry brought Joe home. He was a part of our family, Many great memories were made, lots of laughter,
Colleen Smith Hughes says
May 10, 2025 at 6:30 amSo sorry to hear of Joe’s passing.. He was a part of our family. I have so many memories of Terry bringing Joe home, lots of laughter, jokes, a few tears. He played bagpipes for our birthdays, and funerals and anytime in between.When I told my son he had passed, he said, “I’m sorry Mom, he was a legend.” That is true. We are blessed to have known him. He will be missed by many. I know he will live on in our hearts and memories. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and those in the NJ State Police
JOHN Pearce LAIRD says
May 10, 2025 at 8:59 pmMy wife and I went to see Joe on Sunday morning prior to his passing, along with many of his SP friends, family and pipe band members. He was very frail in appearance but he was still the same old Joe we’ve come to love with his sense of humor and story telling although somewhat diminished in his weaken state. He still had a twinkle in his eyes, a slight smirk in his grin as he was telling one of his many stories. He had an amazing memory for detail, and what ever he said was gospel, because it was the truth. Great soldier (US Marine), great Trooper (NJ State Police) and a great person. His family can take solace in his memory that he lived on this earth with honor and purpose. I can hear his voice saying “Joseph P. Keely, REPORTING FOR DUTY”
Colleen Smith Hughes says
May 10, 2025 at 11:35 pmWe were so sad to hear of Joe’s passing. When I told my son, he said, “I’m sorry Mom, he was a legend.” He was such a part of our family from the day my brother Terry brought him home. He piped for our family birthdays, funeral’s and many times in between. Our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and State Police. He will remain in our hearts and memories forever. (Including our stories). I will remember his smile and twinkle in his eye. His family wrote a beautiful Obituary. I’m pretty sure they have a Pipe Band in Heaven waiting for him. RIP Joe, you are loved. The Smith family.
Gregory Seitz says
May 11, 2025 at 5:35 pmJoe was my classmate in the State Police Academy 56 years ago. Our careers never crossed paths since that time; however, his legacy of being an outstanding Trooper and Detective in the Identification Bureau lives on. Joe was a first class person and a gentleman. Greg Seitz #2461
Walt Kowal says
May 13, 2025 at 12:32 amRIP Joe.
Worked with him in the SP and our paths crossed a few times.
Great person and always a pleasure to be around……
Fred & Helen Staudinger says
May 13, 2025 at 2:35 pmJoe was one of a kind. A great boss to work for and a fantastic pipe band leader. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace and our condolences to his family.
Kevin Smith says
May 14, 2025 at 1:14 pmI am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. My prayers to the Keely family. It is hard to express the sadness and loss felt by everyone that had the pleasure to have known him. I have known Joe since I was about 14 or 15, when Terry brought him to the house. A character to say the least. A lot of good stories and laughs through the years. It was always great to see him when he’d stop at the Barracks to talk and have coffee with me. Joe you will surely be missed. RIP my friend.
Jack Oakley, NJSP, ret. says
May 15, 2025 at 12:47 pmDSFC Keely was a one of a kind person. Funny, quick witted and most of all a respected gentleman. He served his Country honorable and was a legend in the NJSP. Rest easy Sarge, you’ve earned it.
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