Michael Keegan

Michael Edward Keegan, 42, of Brunswick, Maryland passed from this life on April 9, 2017.
Born on March 31, 1975, in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, he was the son of Patrick Keegan and Marianita (Lopez) Echanique.
Michael spent his childhood in Queens, New York and Ecuador and his teenage years in Hauppauge, New York. Michael was a graduate of Hauppauge High School, class of 1992.  After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he earned the rank of Sergeant.  Michael was stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC and Marine Forces Europe, Stuttgart, Germany.  While proudly serving his country, Michael continued his education and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland University College. After completing two tours in the United States Marine Corps, Michael settled down in Maryland with his wife Katherine.  He worked for PEC Solutions as a Department Manager and government contractor.  He was quickly offered a full-time position and was a founding member of the nation’s second largest Federal Law Enforcement Investigative Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Michael was a national spokesman as well as the first Spanish language spokesman for the ICE headquarters where he granted hundreds of national and international media interviews serving as the face and voice of ICE to millions of Spanish language viewers and readers. In 2005, Michael deployed with the Department of Homeland Security to a devastated New Orleans immediately following Hurricane Katrina where he supported the senior federal law enforcement official for two weeks during the rescue and recovery efforts.   Michael later transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Director of Internal Communications where he was one of the only staff members in his office serving the department since its creation.
Michael enjoyed many things, but to him, family was his priority.  As long as he knew he was making his wife and daughters happy, life was good.  Those who truly knew Michael knew he was a jokester and loved to be the center of attention.  He could walk into the room of strangers and walk out with lifelong friends. Once the weather warmed up it was almost a guarantee there was going to be a BBQ at the Keegan’s house.  Michael loved to travel, always seeking out the next new adventure.  Aside from family, Michael took much pride in his service as a United States Marine.  To continue the brotherhood, he was an active member of the Leathernecks Nation MC, Black Sheep made up of a group of outstanding Marines who promote events to raise awareness for our United States Veterans.
Michael is survived by his wife, Katherine Lynn (Folk) Keegan, daughters, Audree Grace and Blythe Aislin; mother, Marianita (Lopez) Echanique, step-father, Fidel Echanique; sister, Rocio Guevara, brother, Jonathan Echanique, niece, Sinead Soria; aunt, Gloria and husband, Hector Fernandez, cousins Elsa Pa, Gilda Romo-Leroux and Sergiev Fernandez; father, Patrick Keegan (deceased), step-mother, Ann Keegan; sister, Deborah and husband, Sam Giacomo, and children, Jacqueline, Samantha, and Vincent; father-in law Ralph Folk (deceased), mother-in-law, Lynda (Forbes) Folk, sister-in-law Christie and husband, John Marshall, and children, Kiersten and Janna; brother-in-law Alex Folk and wife, Elizabeth, and children Trent and Alexa; sister-in-law, Anita VanUnen and children, Nathaniel and Matthew Rought.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm on Friday, April 14, 2017 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.
A celebration of Michael’s life journey will take place at Stauffer Funeral Home on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 1:00pm.
Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 South Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
Fisher House Foundation - They provide military families housing close to loved ones during hospitalizations for an illness, disease, or injury.   www.fisherhouse.org
St. Jude’s Research Hospital - Finding cures.  Saving children.  www.stjude.org

Expressions of sympathy may be made to StaufferFuneralHome.com