Montauk is known for its cheerful community events and celebrations. Even in the off-season, events like the St. Patrick’s Day parade sponsored by the Montauk Friends of Erin and the annual Turkey Trot draw crowds from across Long Island and New England.
At last week’s East Hampton Town Board work session held at the Montauk Library, the board recognized the late John Keeshan’s many community-centered activities, including the founding of the Montauk Turkey Run for Fun, which was officially renamed to the John Keeshan Memorial Turkey Trot.
This beloved local Thanksgiving tradition is entering its 50th year. John founded the event with a small group of runners, and it quickly grew into the attraction it is today, with last year gathering over 1,300 runners, walkers, and strollers. Listen to John reminisce on the event in an oral history interview from 2022:
John moved to Montauk in 1973 with his wife, Eileen, and two children, Nancy and Edwin. He was a local business owner and very active in community organizations, including the Montauk Fire Department and Ambulance Service, the Montauk Downtown Association, and the Montauk Chamber of Commerce. John was also one of the founding members of the Montauk Library and served on the board for many years, overseeing the building and grounds.
John Keeshan passed away peacefully earlier this year at the age of 86. While he is gone, his many community contributions can be experienced throughout Montauk.
Walking through downtown, you’ll see civic improvements John helped to realize with other members of the Montauk Downtown Association, including the installation of a public restroom and street lights, and renaming the plaza to the Carl Fisher Plaza. John was also integral to burying the utility wires on Montauk Highway, improving the scenic ocean view as you enter the village.
John’s community-centered efforts and positive impact on the downtown are too many to list here. We encourage you to listen to the full 34-minute oral history interview from 2022 on New York Heritage and share your memories of him in the comments below.
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