Michael "Mike" Francis Keehan

Engineer. Motorcycle enthusiast. World traveler. Lifelong friend. Beloved father and partner.

Mike truly lived a very full life.

 

Michael "Mike" Francis Keehan, passed away on June 16, 2026 at 69 years of age, at Concord Hospital in Laconia, New Hampshire.

 

Albany Roots

Mike was born in Schenectady, New York, while living in Saratoga. The family moved to Albany when Mike was age three. Albany remained an important part of who he was throughout his life. He often spoke fondly of his lifelong friends from Albany, affectionately known among themselves as the "Boys from LA" ("Lower Albany"). Those friendships endured for decades and brought him great joy.

 

A Self-Made Man

Mike lived with intelligence, determination, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit. After leaving high school, he pursued his passion for motorcycles, co-owning a motorcycle shop with his lifelong friend Chris Sanchez while they were in their early twenties and working as both a mechanic and motorcycle salesman. He lived in California for a time with his uncle and later in Tampa, Florida, experiences that broadened his perspective and shaped his future.

 

Determined to continue his education, Mike returned to New York, earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from SUNY, and later completed his MBA at Southern New Hampshire University.

 

His professional career spanned decades and reflected both his technical expertise and remarkable ability to connect with people. He held positions with Bell Labs, Philips, Diodes Incorporated, and most recently STMicroelectronics, serving in senior strategic sales leadership roles. As a Global Strategic Sales Manager, he traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe, building relationships around the world and combining his love of technology with his natural talent for communication.

 

Motorcycles and Adventure

Motorcycles were the thread that ran through Mike's entire life. His knowledge of motorcycle mechanics was legendary among his friends, many of whom sought his advice whenever they encountered a problem that nobody else could solve.

 

He rode throughout the United States and abroad, including memorable adventures in Cambodia, Romania, and Italy. One of his favorite experiences was riding through the mountains of Italy with his daughter, Bridget.

 

In May 2007, Mike met Betsy Landon after a simple search for "motorcycle" on Match .com. Their second date included Laconia Motorcycle Week, a ride up the Mount Washington Auto Road on one of the special motorcycle-only days, and coffee at the Mount Washington Hotel overlooking the mountains. That day marked the beginning of nineteen years of love, companionship, laughter, and adventure together.

 

Over the years, Mike and Betsy built a life that spanned New Hampshire and Florida. They shared countless adventures, including travels to Barcelona, Canada, Baja Mexico, California, Colorado, and Utah, and many days enjoying Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam in New Hampshire. Together, they discovered a renewed love of dirt biking in 2012, collected vintage and modern motorcycles, and raced together at motocross events, including three memorable Vintage Rewind weekends at the historic Unadilla Motocross track in New York. Just a few weeks before his passing, they attended Vintage Rewind once again and enjoyed one of their favorite weekends together.

 

Mike especially enjoyed traveling with his son, Aidan, throughout the United States, visiting national parks and exploring scenic roads by motorcycle. Those trips also gave him opportunities to spend time with his cousins, Colleen and Michelle, and Michelle's husband, Peter, in California—visits that he greatly treasured.

 

Family and Lifelong Friendships

Mike's friends knew him as someone who could always be counted on for help, advice, or a laugh. He had an incredible sense of humor, loved doing voice impressions, and possessed a rare ability to make people smile even during difficult times. He organized annual Christmas gatherings that reunited old friends and created memories that continue to be treasured today. In 2013, he organized a motorcycle ride along the Mohawk Trail that brought together many of his longtime Albany friends for a day of riding, stories, and camaraderie.

 

Among those lifelong friendships was Glenn Johnson, a childhood friend from Albany. Although Glenn later settled in Massachusetts, the two friends remained connected throughout their lives. They never missed calling each other on their birthdays and stayed in touch year after year, a friendship that reflected Mike's remarkable ability to maintain meaningful relationships across both time and distance.

 

Mike also maintained a lifelong friendship with Chris and Maria Sanchez that began in their youth and endured throughout their lives. Mike often said that Chris and Maria were like the brother and sister he never had. Mike and Betsy treasured visits with Maria and her husband, Mike, and enjoyed spending time with Chris and his wife, Ginny, gathered around a firepit sharing stories, laughter, and memories. Their friendships were marked by deep affection, and it was not unusual for conversations to end with the simple words, "I love you."

 

During his years at Diodes Incorporated, Mike hired Mike Degulis, beginning a professional relationship that grew into a lasting friendship. Long after they worked together, the two remained close friends while living nearby in New Hampshire.

 

After settling in Brookline, New Hampshire, Mike formed a close friendship with Jack Flanagan. The two shared a love of motocross, boating, and thoughtful conversation. They rarely missed watching Supercross and Motocross races and "bench racing" analyzing every lap. Jack also valued Mike's thoughtful perspective, often seeking his opinion on current events and politics.

 

In recent years, Mike reconnected with longtime friend Tom Russo after both settled in Florida. He enjoyed helping Tom customize and work on his motorcycles, combining friendship with the mechanical expertise he loved to share. Whether talking motorcycles, helping a friend with a project, or planning the next ride, Mike was happiest when surrounded by people he cared about.

 

Mike also treasured his lifelong friendship with Rick Atkinson, someone he had admired since his youth in Albany. Mike often joked that Rick was "the Fonz" of the neighborhood—the older kid everyone looked up to because of his passion for motorcycles. Years later, Rick entrusted Mike with the remains of his beloved 1976 Maico 250, believing that if anyone could restore it, Mike could. True to form, Mike painstakingly rebuilt the motorcycle from the ground up. Racing that Maico to a first-place finish at Vintage Rewind in 2021 became one of Mike's proudest accomplishments and one of his favorite memories.

 

Another lifelong friendship Mike cherished was with Mark Temple. As a young man, Mike dreamed of heading west to California and encouraged several friends to join him. Although many talked about making the trip, Mark was the one who was ready when it was time to leave. Together they set off on a cross-country adventure that became one of the defining experiences of Mike's early life. While living with Mike's uncle and cousins in California, they created memories that lasted a lifetime before eventually making their separate journeys back east.

 

Mike's love of motorcycles also inspired and encouraged those around him. He completely transformed a vintage enduro motorcycle into a motocross bike so Betsy could race at Vintage Rewind alongside him. This year, Betsy earned a second-place trophy in her class. Mike was every bit as proud of her accomplishment as she was, and seeing his joy and encouragement is a memory she will always cherish. Today, their two trophies stand side by side in the living room—a reminder of the adventures they shared and the happiness Mike found in celebrating the people he loved.

 

Never Stop Learning

Music was another lifelong interest. Mike played guitar for many years, and when arthritis made playing more difficult, he took on a new challenge by teaching himself piano through online lessons. Characteristically, he approached it with enthusiasm and determination and was already making impressive progress.

 

Family

Above all else, Mike loved his family. He was a proud father to his daughter, Bridget Keehan, and his son, Aidan Keehan. During his nineteen years with Betsy Landon, he became a cherished part of her family as well. He shared a special bond with Betsy's daughter, Marissa, whose love of motorcycles, dirt bikes, and mechanical work gave them endless topics to discuss and enjoy together. He also cared deeply for Betsy's son, Christophe, and took great pride in watching both of Betsy's children build successful lives of their own. Mike shared a devoted partnership of nineteen years with Betsy, with whom he built a life rich in love, friendship, travel, laughter, and adventure.

 

A Life Well Lived

Shortly before his passing, Mike remarked to a friend that he had lived a very full life. Those who knew him would agree.

 

Self-taught in many ways, Mike approached life with curiosity and confidence, always eager to learn something new, solve a problem, or help someone else do the same. He embraced life wholeheartedly, followed his passions, cultivated lifelong friendships, and left behind countless stories, memories, and smiles.

 

Throughout his life, Mike had a remarkable ability to connect people and to form friendships that endured. Whether through motorcycles, work, travel, family, or childhood connections, he stayed in touch with the people who mattered to him and made each of them feel valued. One measure of Mike's life was the relationships he maintained—many spanning decades and remaining strong until the very end.

 

Celebrations of Mike's life will be held privately with family and friends in Albany, New York, and Sanbornton, New Hampshire. Please RSVP below if you plan to attend.

 

Mike will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives were enriched by knowing him.