Ed McKeon's Obituary
Ed McKeon, 79, of Honolulu, HI passed away on November 25, 2022 in Honolulu, HI. He was born in Los Angeles, CA. Retired Electrical Engineer.
Survived by wife: Laurie McKeon.
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Ed was a skilled navigator. Using only a sexton, a binnacle and a time
piece, he navigated our 55 foot wooden schooner across thousands of
miles of Pacific Ocean. Through dead calm doldrums and gusty gales, he
steered his boat with calm confidence.
Throughout his life, Ed always seemed to know how to sail. Like a Honu,
he had an internal GPS that rarely took him off course. He was focused,
calm and self directed in every way.
Growing up as an only child gave Ed the gift of learning self entertainment.
Typically he filled his time by reading. Everything and anything he could
get his hands on. His collection of more than 500 books about sailing &
Polynesian culture tells the story of his deepest passion.
Ed was self disciplined. At age 30, he had already graduated college with
advanced degrees, honed many of the skills of carpentry, plumbing, and
basis electrical. He’d completed 2 marathons long before that activity was
considered sane. He had also steered his mother through the rough &
stormy seas of cancer staying faithfully by her side to her dying day.
Ed had the patience of a monk. Perhaps that was because by the time we
met, in 1972, he had been practicing daily meditation for several years. His
resting pulse rate was in the low 40’s. When he became ill, this proved to
be a constant concern of every doctor we met. I had to explain to them,
that even on our first date, when Ed hugged me, his heart barely thumped.
I too misunderstood the meaning of this apparent lack of excitement. But I
came to understand, Ed just didn’t get worked up about much. He rarely
over-reacted to anything.
A voyage on Ed’s boat, was sure to make landfall in the best possible port.
He didn’t think of himself as intuitive, but he knew the merit of listening,
and since he listened much more than he spoke, he nearly always found
the safest passage to the best anchorage. Once he set his anchor in a
place that he loved, it was pretty darn hard to get him to move.
When Ed discovered paddling, it was love at first sight! At that time, Ed’s
work schedule didn’t allow him to join a club. So, what did he do? He
bought ME a paddle! I could not have been more surprised! Poor Nappy
had to put up with the ‘opposite of Ed’. The nervous haole woman who
never stopped talking, never stopped asking technical questions.
Laurie’s Eulogy for Ed May 2023
The next year, when Ed retired (for the 4th or 5th time) Nappy must have
felt so relieved! It was smooth sailing again. Nappy’s coaching style, “just
paddle” was the perfect fit for Ed! He loved everything about the sport.
From rigging the canoes, to bailing, stroking or calling the ‘the huts’. It all
agreed with him. He revered Nappy. He loved his fellow paddlers. He loved
every single one you.
Our marriage very much reflected Ed’s preference for downwind sailing.
He wasn’t inclinced to beat into the wind. It didn’t matter if it was a
decision to buy a home, to visit a foreign country, to attend a classical
music concert, or build an art studio. His reply, to pretty much everything I
ever requested, was always the same. ‘Whatever you want, sweetie.’
So many people never truly live the life of their dreams. Ed did. Over the
49 years we spent together, we talked frequently about our intentional
decision to ‘live our lives backwards’. To begin with our greatest passion,
our intense desire for true adventure, to see the world through the eyes of
people from different cultures and countries. To forego many material
rewards that others were busy actively seeking.
As I look back now, and chart the course of Ed’s life journey, I can say with
certainty, he has sailed into a peaceful, safe harbor.
He lived his dream and I will miss him forever.
Thoughts on Ed by his niece, Carlee Russell
Ed's genuine smile not only welcomed people into his space, but put them
at ease and made them feel important. He listened deeply and responded
wisely, whether he was talking to a small child or an elder.
He worked hard, but work wasn't his life. At least from the outside, he
found that elusive balance between work and life.
He adored his wife, admired and appreciated her talents and skills, and
delighted in her. He loved her family as his own - her Mom, her siblings,
her neice and great nieces and nephew all felt the depths of his love and
affection. To belong to Ed was to be deeply cherished.
What’s your fondest memory of Edward?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edward?
Share a story where Edward's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edward you’ll never forget.
How did Edward make you smile?