Frank R. O'Keefe, Jr.

Frank R. O’Keefe, Jr., retired Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Armtek Corporation and the Armstrong Rubber Company passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026. He was ninety-seven years old.

Frank was the husband of Patricia Kane O’Keefe for sixty-nine years, and resided in Vero Beach, Florida. He was formerly a resident of Fairfield, Connecticut.

Born in Peabody, Massachusetts, Frank was the son of Frank and Mary Skelly O’Keefe.

Frank graduated from Peabody High School, where he was President of the Class of 1947. He was the varsity second baseman for Peabody High’s baseball team for three years, and played on the school’s first hockey team from 1946-’47. In 2000, the O’Keefes established the Frank and Patricia O’Keefe Endowed Scholarship Fund, which awards four-year scholarships for Peabody High graduates to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. To date, 26 recipients have been awarded the O’Keefe Scholarship.

Frank graduated from UMass in 1951 with a B.A. in Economics. He played baseball for UMass, served as Vice President of his class, and was the Convocation Speaker at his graduation.

Frank served as an Officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1953, then joined General Electric Company. During a twenty-two year GE Career, Frank held Marketing and General Management positions in Schenectady, NY; New York City; Detroit, Michigan; and Coshocton, Ohio.

In 1977, Frank was named Executive Vice President, then President, of Robert Bosch Corporation, a world-wide automotive parts producer with headquarters in Broadview, Illinois.

In 1980, he came to Armstrong Rubber Company as President and Chief Operating Officer. He and Chairman James Walsh restored Armstrong to profitability, and then began an expansion program in automotive products. Frank became Chairman and CEO in 1986. Under his leadership, Armstrong became Armtek Corporation, an international producer of automotive parts and systems with manufacturing and distribution facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Throughout his life, Frank and Patricia became involved in numerous educational and civic causes. Their philanthropic memberships included the John’s Island Foundation and the Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach, Florida, and the United Way in New Haven, Connecticut. Frank’s awards included an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of New Haven, and a Distinguished Alumnus Award at UMass.

In addition to serving as a Director of Armtek Corporation., Frank’s corporate board memberships included Aetna Inc., Echlin Inc., Insilco Corporation, Southern New England Telecommunications Company, and United Illuminating Company.

An avid golfer, Frank was a member of John’s Island Club, the Country Club of Fairfield, and the U.S. Seniors Golf Association. In retirement, he and Mrs. O’Keefe played golf courses around the world.

Of all his accomplishments, Frank’s most cherished position was that of a husband, father, and grandfather. With his wife, Frank established a lifetime of loving memories. He coached little league games, cheered for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, danced and sang with his children and grandchildren, skied, sailed, and traveled the world. No matter where the O’Keefes resided, their home was always one of love, friendship, and gathering. Best known as Poppy to his grandchildren, and as a friend to everyone he met, Frank will always be remembered for his humor and gift for storytelling.

Alongside his wife, Frank is survived by his son Frank T. O’Keefe and his wife Ashley, of Lloyd Neck, NY; daughter Ann Marie O’Keefe, of Fairfield, CT; and his five grandchildren, Patricia and John (Ann Marie), Frank T. Jr., Conor, and Alexa (Frank T.)

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Winifred, and her husband Henry Yale. He is also survived by nieces Mary McCarthy, Paula Maistrellis, Doreen Zaback, and his nephew, John Yale.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield, Connecticut on November 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM. A short reception and private burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, (www.bridgeportresucemission.org).