John was born the fourth of seven children of Philip and Loretta Keenan. His father worked in the mailing room of the Record American, and then the Boston Herald, while his mother worked at Filene’s department store and then CNA Insurance. John was raised in Quincy and attended the Quincy Public Schools, graduating in 1982 from North Quincy High School. He went to Harvard University, earning his way through by working in the athletic department equipment room. He also worked the Saturday overnight shift at the Herald. John graduated with honors from Harvard in 1986, with a government concentration. Three years later, he graduated from Suffolk University Law School. A lifelong learner, in May 2019 John graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School with a Masters in Public Administration.
My family has a long, rich history in law enforcement, first with the Boston Police Department. My great grandfather served an Inspector at the turn of the century, and was awarded the Medal of Honor. My grandfather was a patrol officer, shot in the line of duty, and also a recipient of the Medal of Honor. A cousin recently retired as a Sergeant, and my nephew now serves on the Boston Police Department as a patrol officer.
In Quincy, my brother has been on the police department for over 36 years, rising through the ranks to serve as Chief of Police for the past 12 years. One nephew is a patrol officer, and another recently passed the civil service exam and is now in the police academy.
Another of my brothers serves on the Quincy Fire Department, a firefighter for over thirty years.
As a witness to the service of my family members as public safety officers, I have a unique understanding of the dangers of being a police officer or firefighter, and of the pride of the men and women who serve us each day.
As a State Senator I have fought to ensure that our first responders have the training and equipment they need in order to best protect our communities. I have worked to secure local aid funds that improve the budgets of these critical departments, funding for the Quincy Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials team, for station improvements in Braintree, for regional dispatch funding for all the towns in my district, for access to in-service counseling, for Narcan kits, for health care coverage, and for pension benefits that recognize the dangers associated with their work.