RECENT NEWS STORIES
Gerard Keegan RIP
The death has taken place of Gerard Keegan,
Tawneylea, Drumkeeran.
Gerard died in the North West Hospice, Sligo, on Thursday, 19th September.
Gerard had lived all his life in Tawneylea.
He was true gentleman who was always willing
to help his neighbours and many friends.
In
his own quiet and unassuming manner he gave his life
to helping and serving the people
of the Creevelea area.
He ran the family shop for many years
and was always helpful
and obliging to his many customers.
Gerard had a lifelong association with his local church,
St Brigid’s Church, Creevelea.
As
a young boy he would have served Mass there and,
for most of his adult life, he was
sacristan and caretaker of the church.
Gerard is presented with his Bene Merenti medal, with Peggy Horan and Tommy Drugan,
the
then Creevelea representatives on the Pastoral Council
For more than half a century he rang the church bell for the Angelus and for Mass.
For
this extraordinary service to Creevelea Church
Gerard was awarded the Bene Merenti
medal
by Pope Benedict in December 2009.
Not only did Gerard serve his local church in this practical manner
but that service
was an expression of his deep personal faith.
A man of prayer, he attended both Sunday
and weekday Mass.
He also organised and attended the weekly
Prayer before the Blessed
Sacrament
in Creevelea Church.
Gerard had a profound interest in Creevelea, in its people.
He never married and so
had no family of his own,
but it would be fair to say that the people of Creevelea
were his wider family.
He had a great interest in and knowledge of the Creevelea area,
of its families and
of its history.
He was among the first pupils to enter the newly built
Creevelea NS
when it opened in 1933.
His death has brought much sorrow and regret to the people of the Creevelea area
and
to all in the wider parish community who knew him.
We extend our sympathy to his nephews and nieces
and to his many neighbours and friends.
Gerard’s funeral took place on 21st September.
The funeral Mass in Creevelea Church
was celebrated by Fr John Sexton, Killargue,
assisted by Fr Oliver Kelly (Manorhamilton)
and Fr Charlie O’Gorman (Blacklion),
both of whom had served as curates in Creevelea.
After the Mass, Gerard was laid to rest in Killargue Old Cemetery.