In addition to his work as a physical education teacher at Panama, Keeney was also the schools long-time football coach, serving in that position for 33 years. He retired from his job at Panama in 1996.

Village trustee and deputy mayor Scott Schrecengost will serve as acting mayor of Celoron until the village’s April 8 meeting, at which time a new leader will be appointed to fill the remainder of Keeney’s term.

Keeney is survived by his wife Mary, who he was married to for 50 years, along with one son and one daughter.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home, where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 12:30 p.m. A time for remembrances and eulogy will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday night in the funeral home. Funeral services will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

According to a recent article in the Jamestown Post-Journal, village officials have met with members of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council to get an update on their requested funding for a proposed waterfront revitalization project around Lucille Ball Memorial Park.

But there is some doubt that the village will see any money in the next round of funding. That’s because Village Mayor John Keeney says that officials with the development council turned down the village, citing a grant application that was not written well enough.  However, the mayor went on to say that village officials were instructed on how to reapply next year with a better chance of receiving funds.

In December, the state program awarded $52.8 million to 58 other projects in Western New York to improve local infrastructure and create jobs. Over $1.4 million was awarded to projects in Chautauqua County.