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Boston Herald
Boston Herald
5 Feb 2022
Flint McColgan


NextImg:GoFundMe for fallen Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe’s niece and nephew already past $200,000

A GoFundMe drive set up Friday to benefit the niece and nephew of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who died in a mysterious vehicle-involved incident during the nor’easter last weekend, has surpassed its $10,000 goal by more than 20-fold.

“John was a devoted son, brother, uncle, godfather, cousin, friend,” stated the page for the drive organized by Sean Hickey. “John was loved deeply by his family and was primarily devoted to and the guardian of his niece and nephew, Kayley and Patrick Furbush.”

The Furbush Children’s Fund had earned nearly $220,000 through roughly 2,000 donations going into Saturday evening. The top listed contributor was Michael and Heather Gillis and Family at $2,490. Listed contributors with donations of $1,000 each include Milton Police Patrolman’s Association, Canton Little League and Marathon Moving Company, as well as many individual contributors.

The funds are earmarked for O’Keefe’s niece and nephew. O’Keefe, 46, took custody of the children after their parents, Kristen and Stephen Furbush, died in 2013 and 2014, the page states.

“John welcomed the opportunity to raise his beloved niece and nephew and build a home and a life around their needs,” his family wrote in a statement earlier this week.

O’Keefe served as a police officer in Boston for 16 years, and his family described him as “not only a dedicated police officer, he was an exemplary guardian, son, brother, uncle and friend and we were so fortunate to have him as a part of our lives.”

His girlfriend, Karen Read, 41, of Mansfield, pleaded not guilty Wednesday on manslaughter charges in his death. Prosecutors allege that she hit him with her Lexus SUV after dropping him off at a private party at a home in Canton following the pair’s night out with friends at two area bars.

O’Keefe’s body was found in the nearly two feet of recently fallen snow outside the home shortly after 6 a.m., with two women including Read trying to revive him with CPR, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities said he was then rushed to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, where he was pronounced dead.

In addition to lacerations on his arm, an autopsy found skull fractures and evidence that hypothermia had contributed to his death.

Read is charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and leaving the scene of personal injury or death.