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Legends of Labor

Hall of Fame

Bio details

Edward C. Keenan

Plumbers Local 690
Business Manager (1983-2008)

In 1964, Ed Keenan was accepted into the Apprenticeship Program with Plumbers Union Local 690. During his time as an apprentice, he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam. After completing his tour of duty, he resumed his apprenticeship and graduated as a Journeyman Plumber in August 1970.
Ed was appointed Business Agent in September 1978. In 1982, he was appointed Business Manager of the Local. The following year the membership elected him as Business Manager, a position he would remain in for the next 25 years. Ed demonstrated a deep commitment and respect to his membership of approximately 2,000 members. Over the course of Ed’s tenure, the Union grew in membership and has remained strong and truly united in brotherhood.
Always a passionate supporter of the Labor Movement, Ed held numerous leadership positions and memberships to many organizations throughout the jurisdiction of Local 690 including:
*Co-Chairman of 690 Health, Welfare & Pension Funds
*Co-Chairman of 690 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
*Co-Chairman of 690 Negotiating Committee
*Trustee for all Funds of Local 690
*Chairman of 690 Political Action Committee
*President, Philadelphia Building Trades
*President, Storage Tank Advisory Committee
*Vice President, Mechanical Trades Council
*Vice President, Philadelphia AFL-CIO
*Vice President & Secretary-Treasurer, Pennsylvania State Pipe Trades
*Chairman, Political Action Committee of the Metropolitan Area for Recovery and Construction Harmony Organization
*Secretary of the Redevelopment Authority
*Civil Service Commission
*Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council
*Region Housing Advisory Committee
*PA New Alliance Strategic Planning Commission.
*Member of the Plumbers International Apprentice Committee
*Member of the United Association Training Trust Fund Committee
*Member of the United Association Travel Card Committee
*United Association Hearing Officer
*Chairman of the United Association Laws Committee
*Member of the United Association Plumbing Council Committee
*Member of the National Residential Plumbing Advisory Committee

Along with being active in many charitable events, he
has been a long-time supporter of the following charities:

* United Cerebral Palsy Association
* Variety Club
* Deborah Hospital
* UNICO
* Boy’s Town of Italy
* Easter Seals
* CORA

Edward C. Keenan was born in West Philadelphia on September 11, 1946, and is one of eight children. He has been married for fifty- three years to Paulette Pendze. They have been blessed with three children, Jennifer, Joanne and Paulette. Jennifer is married to Stephen Keil and they have three sons, Stephen Edward (32), Austin (23) and Ryan (18). Joanne is married to Brad Hamilton and they have three children, Riley (19), Jude (16) and Dean Edward (12) and Paulette is married to Pat Riccio and they have two children Samantha (15) and Nicholas (11). Ed is also the proud father of George Pegram, the current Business Manager of Plumbers Union Local 690.