CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Joseph Keenan is a hero. Though he passed away suddenly from a severe asthma attack in January 2018, Keenan's status as an organ donor allowed him to save three lives. Billy Partain, who was married to Keenan for 20 years prior to his passing, told 12 News his late husband donated his heart, liver and kidneys. Joseph Keenan (Courtesy: Billy Partain) "He was a wonderful person and whatever I could say about him would never be enough," Partain said, adding that his husband was a hairstylist in Providence who loved to ski and spend time at the beach. Partain has since become close with Keenan's heart recipient, who's a retired firefighter with six daughters and one son. He said the recipient's wife always keeps a stethoscope around so he can listen to his late husband's heart. "Being able to hear my husband's heart beat again gives me so much peace," Partain said. "You just know he is still around and he's giving back." Partain said that, because of Keenan decided to be an organ donor, his heart recipient was able to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle. "She and I became really good friends," Partain said. "When she had her first born son, she decided to name him after my husband ... Joseph is his middle name. She says it is in honor of the man who not only gave her father life, but her entire family as well." How to become an organ donor in Rhode Island "This family saved my life as well," he continued. "They have become a big part of my life and it's as if my husband picked them out himself for me." Since meeting his late husband's heart recipient, Partain has become a staunch advocate for organ donation awareness. Billy Partain with his late husband's heart recipient (Courtesy: Billy Partain) Partain described registering as an organ donor as being the "ultimate gift." "It's the most selfless act and a beautiful gift to give," he said. Partain shared his late husband's story Wednesday at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to promote the life-saving work of New England Donation Services (NEDS). NEDS recently achieved a record number of life-saving deceased organ donations and transplants for three consecutive years. Since 2020, NEDS has increased the number of annual organ donors by 52%. Nearly 550 deceased organ donors made 1,401 life-saving transplants possible last year, which NEDS has already surpassed this year. Sophia Szabo contributed to this report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW