Longtime Natick Superintendent Joseph Keefe Dies At 93

NATICK, MA — Longtime educator Joseph Keefe, who served as the Superintendent of Schools in Natick for two decades, died at 93.

Keefe, born and raised in Rhode Island, served in the Korean War before graduating from Boston University with a masters degree and a doctorate.

He was an educator in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for 55 years, starting his career in Rhode Island before moving to Natick where he became a principal. He left for a period to become the Deputy Superintendent in Worcester before returning to Natick as Superintendent, where he became the longest tenured superintendent in the district's history.

In retirement, he still worked in education, becoming the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives.

His 22-year stint as the Superintendent in Natick saw the introduction of full-day kindergarten, a shift in school funding and a decrease in school enrollment, which prompted the closure of some local schools.

Keefe was Trustee Emeritus of the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and served as the Executive Director of Walnut Hill during two academic years.

A reading of an online obituary almost seems like an entry for three people. In addition to his career in education, Keefe was a Town Meeting member, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Morse Institute Library, a member of the Rotary Club of Natick and one of the founders of Leadership MetroWest.

Many community members and organizations offered memories and words for Keefe, including the Natick Police Department.

"We are grateful for Dr. Keefe’s unwavering support of public safety and his lifelong commitment to Natick. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched," the department said.

"His commitment to our town and its people was inspiring and truly embodied the Rotarian motto of ‘Service Above Self,’" the Natick Rotary Club said.