John 'Kevin' Keenan, 78

MEREDITH — John "Kevin" Keenan, 78, died peacefully on Jan. 11, 2026, at the Jack Byrnes Center in Lebanon following a heroic five-month fight against multiple health issues.

Kevin was born on Feb. 20, 1947, to John Vincent and Gilda (née Cisternelli) Keenan. He spent much of his early childhood in Norwood, Massachusetts, surrounded by a large close-knit family of aunts, uncles and cousins before moving to Meredith.

In Meredith, he developed a lifelong love for the water and boating. He spent countless hours on Lake Winnipesaukee and quickly became a local waterskiing legend. While in high school, he worked at Channel Marine, learning the marina business that would shape his future.

Kevin graduated from Inter-Lakes High School as class president in 1966, and thereafter attended Bentley College before graduating from New Hampshire Technical Institute.

Kevin worked at Onset Bay Marina, on Cape Cod, before taking a detour into the world of offshore powerboat racing. He found success as the throttle man on the Busch Racing Team. Kevin’s skill and fearlessness contributed to runner-up finishes at the 1978 and 1979 World Championships and to a World Championship trophy in 1980.

After stepping away from racing, Kevin returned to the marina business. He owned and operated Monroe’s Marine on Harilla Landing, in Moultonborough, with his business partner and close friend, Reggie Monroe, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before setting out to build the first full-scale marina on Lake Winnipesaukee in decades. Paugus Bay Marina opened in 1998, and Kevin owned and operated the marina until his retirement in 2019.

Kevin’s commitment to Meredith and the Lakes Region’s boating community rivaled his professional successes. He served as president and long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Children’s Charities. Kevin was also heavily involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In the early 1990s, he was instrumental in organizing the annual Inter-Lakes Boys Basketball Christmas Tournament that drew some of the best teams in New Hampshire. Most recently, Kevin was one of the founding members of the “Light It Up” fundraiser to install lights at the Inter-Lakes High School football field and was active in supporting the NH Boat Museum in Moultonborough.

Despite his many professional and community endeavors, Kevin’s primary focus always remained his family. He was a regular at sporting events and performances, first for his children and then for his grandchildren. He was always there with advice and support and continued to follow his grandchildren’s accomplishments right up until his passing. His love, support and advice will be sorely missed.

Kevin is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years, Barbara Campbell Keenan of Meredith, who spent every day by his side during his health battles. He is also survived by his four children, Karen “Kiki” Schneider (Dover), Kevin G. Keenan (Meredith), Trevor Keenan (Exeter), and Ashley Keenan (Meredith); and his 10 grandchildren, Kayla and Tyler Schneider, Mackenzie, Emma and Carolyn Keenan, Tessa and Fiona Keenan and Riley, Lincoln and Lola Ferrante; and his brother, Gregory Keenan (Gilford).

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the ongoing efforts to raise money for lights at the Inter-Lakes High School football field — gofundme.com/IL-LIGHTS.

For more information, visit Dupuisfuneralhome.com.