CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Joseph Keenan is a hero.
Though he passed away suddenly from a severe asthma attack in January 2018, Keenan’s status as an organ donor allowed him to save three lives.
Billy Partain, who was married to Keenan for 20 years prior to his passing, told 12 News his late husband donated his heart, liver and kidneys.
“He was a wonderful person and whatever I could say about him would never be enough,” Partain said, adding that his husband was a hairstylist in Providence who loved to ski and spend time at the beach.
Partain has since become close with Keenan’s heart recipient, who’s a retired firefighter with six daughters and one son. He said the recipient’s wife always keeps a stethoscope around so he can listen to his late husband’s heart.
“Being able to hear my husband’s heart beat again gives me so much peace,” Partain said. “You just know he is still around and he’s giving back.”
Partain said that, because of Keenan decided to be an organ donor, his heart recipient was able to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle.