Francis X. “Buddy” Keegan, Jr., a New Jersey Racing Commissioner since 2006 and a breeder and owner who raced horses in New Jersey since 1963, passed away on Thursday, June 5.

He was 86.

In addition to being a long-serving commissioner on the New Jersey Racing Commission, Keegan was president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, president of the New Jersey Horsemen’s Association and was a patron of Monmouth Hunt.

Keegan was also a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America, the Green Mountain Horse Association and the National Hunt Association.

A graduate of Seton Hall, Keegan also attended Fordham Law School. He served in the infantry in the U.S. Army and retired after 51 years as Wealth Management Adviser and First Vice President of Investment with USB Financial Services.

A long-time resident of Spring Lake, N.J., Keegan is survived by his son, Mickey.

A viewing will take place Monday, June 16, at the O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township. N.J. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Keegan will be celebrated during a mass on Tuesday, June 17, at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Catharine’s at 11:30.

Repast will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Spring Lake Golf Club.