‘City boy who embraced rural life’ - family

The family of the local man Fran McKeon (58), who died tragically following a climbing accident in the Galway mountains at the weekend have said his finest tribute is in “all the wonderful people he knew”, and who have rallied by them at this difficult time. “We are grateful for each and every one of them”, they say.
The father-of-three and grandfather of two, originally from Walkinstown, Dublin, but living in Glenlara, Cavan Town, died after falling during a mountaineering climb on the Twelve Bens mountain range in Muckanagh, Connemara, Co. Galway last Saturday, July 26.
The incident occurred at around 4.30pm, after which Mr McKeon’s climbing companion immediately alerted the emergency services. Gardaí along with Galway Mountain Rescue and the Malin Head Coastguard co-ordinated a rescue operation, airlifting Mr McKeon to Galway University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
An employee at the Department of Agriculture, Mr McKeon was highly regarded locally, as a self-taught and talented musician, a keen outdoorsman and for his involvement in various community activities.

Death deeply regretted
Tributes to Mr McKeon have flowed from those who knew him best.
One work colleague described him as “very generous and very kind.”
“He was always willing to help anyone who asked. If there was ever a charitable cause going he’d always be one of the first to get involved. He’ll be sadly missed”.
Johnny Hancox, Leader at the 2nd Cavan Scouts, where during the early to mid-1990s, Mr McKeon served as a Beaver leader, says his involvement with the organisation exemplified both his love for the outdoors and willingness to help others.

“He was a man who was always smiling, always willing to help. That’s how he’ll be remembered. He loved helping others and seeing young people get involved in outdoor activity.”

Family man
Following Mr McKeon’s death, his family have been comforted by neighbours, family and friends at their Cavan home in recent days. They described him “a city boy who thoroughly embraced rural life.”
“He was an attentive and relaxed grandfather who adored and was adored in return by his grandchildren Amy and Jack. He loved people, his family, his friends, his neighbours, everyone was a welcome visitor and made to feel at home.
“He loved the outdoors and he couldn’t sit still. He was happy outside whether he was working in the garden or in the community or hillwalking with friends. He liked nothing better than to be surrounded by those he loved in the garden on a sunny evening sharing a drink and stories.
“His tribute is all the wonderful people he knew who have helped us through the past few days and we are grateful for each and every one of them,” the family have said.
A Funeral Service for Mr McKeon takes place later today, Wednesday, July 30 at 11am at Finnegan’s Funeral Home on the Dublin Road, with removal afterwards to Mount Jerome Crematorium for Cremation Service at 3.30pm.
Mr McKeon’s passing is deeply regretted by his wife Catherine, daughters Aisling and Shona, and son Fiachra, sisters Teresa and Martina, son-in-law Ken Doonan, grandchildren Amy and Jack, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, colleagues, neighbours and many friends.