Obituary of James C. Keeney Jr.

James C. Keeney Jr., 79, of Corning, formerly of Beaver Dams, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Corning Hospital. Born in Corning on September 12, 1945, Jim was the son of the late James C. and Ruth Junquist Keeney. Raised as a child in Corning, Jim moved to New Jersey as a teenager. He was a graduate of Vineland, NJ High School. After finishing high school, Jim enlisted in the US Navy, serving from 1963 to 1971. While serving in the Navy, he was trained as a machinist, a skill he took with him in civilian life when he was employed as a machinist at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, NY. On September 27, 1980, Jim married Brenda L. Rogers Briggs in Corning. . Jim and Brenda owned and operated the Cherry Lane Mobile Home Park in Beaver Dams from 1980 until their retirement in 2019. Jim had also been a rural mail carrier in Beaver Dams for several years. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Jim was an active member of the Beaver Dams Fire Department, where he was a past Chief, holding position for 10 years, as well as former President and Secretary. Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda Keeney of Corning, his children and their spouses, Kimberly & Todd Chapman of Elmer, NJ, James Keeney and Robin & Kevin West of Beaver Dams, his step children, April Briggs and Ken Wolcott of Painted Post, Belinda & Robert Thompson of Scio, NY and Adam Briggs & Brian Riggs of Corning, 15 grandchildren, honorary grandchildren, Emily Carson and Luca Nichols, 18 great grandchildren, siblings, Dorr (Ansel) Keeney of Beaver Dams, Jerry Keeney of Utica, Robert Keeney of Hendersonville, NC, Steven Keeney of Las Vegas, NV, Walter Keeney of Okemah, OK, Janis Clark of Hendersonville, NC and Marybeth Good of Corning, along with many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Keeney Sr. his mother, Ruth Watson, his step father, Wilbur Watson, his step son, Leon Briggs and his brother, John Keeney. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 21 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Grace Lee Memorial Wesleyan Church, 2075 Chambers Road, Beaver Dams. Jim’s funeral service will follow there at 1 pm with Pastor Matt Pickering officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Beaver Dams Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested for either the Beaver Dams Fire Dept. or the American Cancer Society. The family is being assisted by the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY.