Patrick H. Keney

NORTH JACKSON — Patrick H. Keney passed away Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Patrick was born Oct. 24, 1948, in Canton, the son of Don E. Keney and the former Nellie Curry. He was a graduate of Canton South High School and dedicated more than 30 years of service to General Motors, where he worked as an assembler.

Patrick devoted much of his life to athletics and education. He served as athletic director at Jackson-Milton High School and coached girls’ volleyball and basketball. He also coached at Lordstown High School in both sports and spent many years coaching his daughters’ softball teams while they were growing up.

Over the course of his remarkable coaching career, Pat achieved more than 400 wins in both volleyball and basketball. His accomplishments include 12 league titles in volleyball and eight in basketball, 10-time MVCA Coach of the Year honors, six-time League Coach of the Year, eight-time District Coach of the Year, and six-time Trumbull County Coach of the Year. His teams made eight regional appearances in volleyball, finishing as state runner-up, and seven regional appearances in basketball. Pat continued coaching volleyball for the past two years, alongside his daughter and two close friends, helping lead the team to the regional tournament once again.

Pat loved his girls and remained in contact with many of his former players throughout his life. He was more than a coach — he was a mentor, a friend, tough as nails and no-nonsense, yet fair, compassionate and a strong advocate for girls’ athletics. His impact was profound and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. In recognition of his contributions, Pat was inducted into the Jackson-Milton Hall of Fame in 2014.

Beyond the court, Patrick was a motorcycle racing enthusiast and a lover of muscle cars. He rode and raced motorcycles for many years, with his wife and children proudly serving as his pit crew. Pat loved anything fast, including boating on his speedboat. He spent endless hours on the lake with his grandchildren, pulling them on tubes and creating lifelong memories. 

He rarely missed his grandchildren’s sporting events and cherished the opportunity to coach many of them. He even served as the football team’s waterboy during his grandson’s junior and senior years simply so he could be on the field with them. Pat was very dedicated to his family and would do anything for any of his kids or grandkids.

Patrick is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, the former Sandra Schlabaugh, whom he married Dec. 11, 1976; his four daughters, Sue (Frank) Prozy, Jodi (Jeff) O’Donnell, Sheri Lengyel and Jennifer (Jim) Goodlin; his son, Joe (Kelly) Keney; his sister, Diana (Ty) Garber; his brother, Don E. Keney Jr.; 11 grandchildren, Jacob and Logan Keney, Courtney Little, Nicholas Goodlin, Lance Goodlin, Haley Lengyel, Sean Lengyel, Brittany Hampson, Darian Wanstreet, Christi Wanstreet and Frank Prozy; and nine great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Pat also leaves behind his beloved dog, Luke, and his cats, Lewie and Hannah.

In addition to his parents, Patrick was preceded in death by his son-in-law and best friend, John Lengyel.

A scholarship will be established in Patrick’s name to benefit a Jackson-Milton female senior athlete.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Jackson-Milton Chapel. Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences