People
Village Leaders
Richard McKeon - Tenth Mayor of Bratenahl
10000 and12015 Lake Shore Boulevard and 22 Oakshore Green
Richard McKeon was elected in November 1975 to become the tenth mayor of Bratenahl Village. He served for twenty-five years until his retirement in 2001. His service to Bratenahl began in 1962 when he was appointed to the Planning Commission, serving until 1966, when he was appointed to the Bratenahl village council to fill a vacancy.
Throughout his term, Mayor McKeon led the process that provided the necessary changes for the future of the Village.
The 1980s began with a recession that was the most significant since the Great Depression. Interest rates hit double digits, eventually leading to a stock market crash in October known as “Black Monday.” Although the economy recovered in the spring, the residual effects had a profound impact.
Merriman Construction constructed 45 townhouse condominiums, the first major construction in the village since Bratenahl Place. Merriman stated that Mayor McKeon was very cooperative in resolving problems, and they were treated with more consideration by Bratenahl than many other communities.
With renewed interest in Bratenahl, there were many development plans submitted with many rejected and some approved.
In 1986, John Domo, a 34-year-old developer, conceived of a resort atmosphere development around a 100-slip marina and a full-service dining club with a lakeside swimming pool.
Richard Fleischman and Helen Moss submitted plans in 1990 to develop Breezy Bluff at 9619 Lakeshore Boulevard, a twelve unit three-story glass-roofed townhouse development.
Plans for Wenden Court, a development at 13300 Lakeshore Boulevard featuring 15 single-family homes encircling a central pond on nine acres were approved in 1994.
Colony, a nineteen-home project, was approved in 1995 to be located on the former Bingham estate at 12319 Lakeshore Boulevard.
Hamlet, a French-style community located on the former Dean Holden estate at 11341 Lakeshore Boulevard and Lakehurst, a gated community of 18 homes located on the former 20-acre Taylor estate at 193 Bratenahl Road were approved in 1999.
Progress, peaceful prosperity and good sense defined Mayor McKeon's term in office.
Richard DeLisle McKeon was raised at 10000 Lake Shore Boulevard and attended Bratenahl School. From there, he attended St. Ignatius High School and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Case Institute of Technology.
Richard then joined the U.S. Navy, serving three years of active duty during the Korean War. He remained in the Naval Reserve as a SeaBee, eventually retiring as a Commander in 1952.
He returned from the Navy with his wife, Rosemary, in 1954. They lived at 9915 Burton Avenue, a home built by Richard's father as a wedding present. In 1968 Richard and Roseman purchase a home at 12015 Lake Shore Boulevard where they raised their seven children: Susan, Richard Jr., Julie, Kathleen, Amy, Paul, and Milissa.
Richard joined his father’s construction firm and obtained a second degree in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He developed the family business into an engineering consulting firm for building problems.
Dick’s faith was paramount. As a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, he served on the Finance Council, as president of the Parish Council, and as a eucharistic minister.
Richard died July 13, 2019, in Hastings, Minnesota, and buried in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio.