Obituary of Keith Francis Meehan

Keith Meehan, 76, of Lynbrook, New York, passed away on Tuesday, July 30th. He was born in London, England on September 3, 1947 to Daniel Joseph Meehan and Mary “May” Meehan (Donnelly). A lifelong lover of music, Keith began working as a professional drummer when he was still a teenager. When his drum kit was stolen, he changed course and became a song writer and vocalist, working both as a solo artist and with his band, Direct Approach. In 1968, Keith met Joan (Tomasulo), a New Yorker living in London who would become the enduring love of his life. They were married in Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne, New York, on July 19, 1969. The returned to London and a month later, Keith’s debut song “The Darkness of My Life” was released, climbing to the top of the pops. When his record label, Marmalade, was purchased by Apple Records, he rerecorded the single on studio time loaned to him by John Lennon. In the early 1970s, Keith would change course again, this time for New York. After moving to Lynbrook to be close to Joan’s family he began working for CBS Television Inc. as an accounting clerk. Keith would remain at CBS for 29 years, attending C.W. Post in the evenings to earn his bachelors degree, and rising to become Assistant Controller of CBS Television. He later served as Controller of Court TV and then as the Executive Director of the Radio Music Licensing Committee. He truly loved his job at the RMLC which brought together two of his lifelong interests, music and the law. Keith loved music, soccer, hockey, travel, history, politics, animals - especially dogs and horses, - fast cars, and sweets - especially Battenberg cake. Most of all he loved his family. He was a devoted husband, proud father, and exemplary grandfather. A captivating storyteller, with an exuberant laugh, Keith spent many hours at the head of the table regaling family and friends with tales of his time as a musician and childhood adventures on his Grandad’s farm in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland. Keith is survived by his beloved wife Joan, son Devin (Michelle) Meehan, daughter Kiera (Lloyd) Meehan-Cohen, and his grandchildren, Rieley, Lilah, Gavin, and Niamh, whom he loved to moon and back again. Though his death leaves a heartache no one can heal, his love leaves a memory no one can steal