Fr. Keenan, former St. Aug administrator, dies at 86

    Josephite Father Vincent P. Keenan, who served for 27 years as a teacher, administrator and rector of St. Augustine High School, died April 24 at St. Joseph Manor in Baltimore. He was 86 and had served  nearly 60 years in religious life.
    Father Keenan had been retired since 2006 at St. Joseph Manor. Interment was in Baltimore at the New Cathedral Cemetery on April 28.
    Father Keenan spent the most of his priestly life in New Orleans as a teacher, administrator and rector of St. Augustine High School from 1952-79.
    He served as pastor of St. Raymond Parish in New Orleans in 1966 and St. Francis Xavier Church in Baton Rouge in 1967. He was chaplain at Xavier University of Louisiana in 1969, and also served as pastor of Epiphany Parish in New Orleans in 1979. He also was pastor of Our Mother of Mercy Church in Pass Christian, Miss.
    Prior to Katrina, he spent many of his semi-retirement years at St. Augustine High School.
    He was chaplain of the Fair Grounds from 1999 to 2002. Several horse owners named thoroughbreds after him, including “The Original Keenan” and “Red Keenan” in homage to his fiery red hair. Father Keenan celebrated Mass and was counselor to many affiliated with the track. Any earnings went to St. Augustine for scholarships.
    The native of Yonkers, N.Y., is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. Josephite Father Bartholomew O’Shaughnessy was his uncle.