Thomas "Tom" W. McKeown

Tom W. McKeown

Age 94, of Mendota Heights, MN, passed September 26, 2023

Son of Thomas and Anne McKeown, born in Albert Lea, MN on May 11, 1929.  He attended St. John’s prep school, graduated in 1952 from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Tom’s business career began with Burroughs Corp in 1952 and he returned to his alma mater, St John’s University in 1955 as director of public relations and placement.  In 1960, he joined Honeywell, Inc. where he held many leadership positions. Tom joined The St. Paul Companies in 1977 as vice president in charge of its Information Systems Division and retired in 1994 as their executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

He was board chair of the St. John’s University Board of Regents, United Hospital, the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. He also contributed his time/service to the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, St John’s University School of Theology, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Community of Saints Catholic School, and The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Tom was preceded in death by his son Michael, first wife Patricia and brother Jim.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Cullen McKeown, his sister Roseanne Anderson, his seven children, and five step-children: Thomas McKeown (Marianne), Terry McKeown (Dianne), Thomas Cullen (Sandy), Hugh Cullen (Missy), Steve McKeown (Anita), Mary Cullen, Mark McKeown (Mary Pat), Mary Syverud McKeown (John), Anne Cullen Miller (Mark), Daniel McKeown (Heidi), John McKeown (Jennifer), and Joe Cullen (Doreen).  He is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Grandchildren – Kyleleen Cullen Bartnick (Travis), Lindsay Schwartz Ziezulewicz (Paul), Stephanie Smilo (Chris), Michelle Van Tuyl, Katie Millard (David), Joe Miller (Emma), Desmond McKeown (Anna), Anne Yeager, Kristen Syverud (Zac), Destiny Anderson, Molly Cullen, Emily Syverud (Jared), Patrick Cullen (Aubree), Kelly Cullen, Isabel O’Branski (Brendan), Matthew Miller, Mary Miller, Michael Syverud, Christopher Cullen, Maria Cullen, Katherine McKeown, Anamaria Cullen, Linirose McKeown, Connell McKeown, Vivian McKeown, Henry Cullen, Sarah McKeown, Fintan McKeown, Clare Cullen, Brendan McKeown; great-grandchildren – Hugh, Colton, Becker, Samuel, Miles, Eliana, Josie, Cullen and Lyra.

He loved his family, St. John’s, and giving back to his communities.

Funeral services are at 11am on Thursday October 5th, 2023, with visitation one hour prior, at the Church of St. Joseph, 1154 Seminole Ave. West Saint Paul, MN. Link to virtual service is available at www.churchofstjoseph.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be made to St. John’s University, Community of Saints Catholic School, and Keystone Community Services.