Two Long-Time BSHOF Directors Pass Away

The Bristol Sports Hall of Fame is sad to announce the passing of two long-time Bristol Sports Hall of Fame Directors – Tom Monahan and Bernie O’Keefe.

Tom Monahan, 84, passed away on March 3, 2025. Monahan was a Bristol native who excelled in basketball, baseball, and football at Bristol Central High School. He started his career as a sportscaster for Bristol’s WBIS radio station. As a reporter and anchor for NBC Connecticut, Monahan reported on the 1979 roof collapse at the Hartford Civic Center, the Travelers Golf Tournament (GHO), the 1997 Whalers move from CT, and the New England Patriots deal to move to Hartford. His long career with the station earned him two Emmys and a Peabody Award.  In addition to his career, Monahan was an avid, single-digit-handicap golfer. As a director with the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame, Monahan served as the emcee for the annual Hall of Fame induction banquet for 24 years. Services for Monahan were held on March 8, 2025.

Bernie O’Keefe passed away on March 11, 2025. A long-time BSHOF director and chair of the Scholar-Athlete Committee, O’Keefe was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He earned varsity letters in cross country and track his senior year at Bristol High in 1955, while also serving as manager for the basketball team for four seasons, soccer for three and baseball for two. He earned a managerial jacket his senior year. He then went to UConn where he competed in cross country and track for two and a half years. He returned to Bristol to coach cross country and track at Bristol Central between 1961 and 1970.  In 1966 he became the first coach to win a CCIL title for the school with the cross-country team. He later captured the championships in both 1968 and 1969. He was member of Copper Ledges Tennis Association and served on its board of directors as secretary. As of posting, services for O’Keefe have yet to be announced.

The Bristol Sports Hall of Fame Directors and community extends its heartfelt gratitude to Monahan and O’Keefe for their dedication to preserving Bristol’s sports heritage as well as condolences to their families during this difficult time.