Norman Dascher Funeral Home

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Dan Keenan knew from an early age that he wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a funeral director. After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy and the New York School of Embalming and Restorative Arts, Dan looked forward to the day when he could take over the business that his father had started in 1923. The business had been left to Dans mother, Josephine, after his fathers untimely death in 1942 at the age of 49. Dan served his apprenticeship at the Abbey Funeral Home in New York City and then spent two years in the Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the service in 1955, he returned to Albany and assumed control of the business which was still operating at the original location at the corner of Jefferson and Dove Streets. In 1957, Dan purchased 490 Delaware Avenue, a two family house at the corner of Delaware and Sparkill Avenues and moved the business there. The business continued to expand at this location incorporating additional properties and undergoing several renovations and additions. In 1992, Dan acquired the Norman E. Dascher Funeral Home, an old Albany firm, dating back to 1893 that was originally located at the corner of Arch and Broad Streets. Dan married Theresa Joyce (Dembski) Keenan in 1957. Joyce was an art teacher at Albany High School until her retirement in 1980. After retirement, she joined Dan in the business serving as vice president secretary and utilizing her background and expertise in cosmetology, presentation, decorating and design. Dan and Joyce raised two daughters, Marie P. Keenan, a funeral director who joined the family business in 1993 and succeeded her father as president upon his retirement in 2001 and Terri DeMaria an elementary school teacher in the Bethlehem School District since 1983. They are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, Daniel and Tedi DeMaria and Liam and Aine Tobin. Dan is a member and past president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, a member of th