The late John Keenan honoured at annual event he loved

Tributes to former councillor and Fine Gael stalwart, John Keenan flooded in following his sudden and unexpected death in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day, March 17.

John was looking forward to taking part in the Carrickmacross St Patrick’s Day Parade and his friends in Lisdoonan Vintage Club made sure that his favourite tractor, a red Massey Furguson 35 appeared as part of the club’s annual display. Cathaoirleach Paul Gibbons paid tribute to John at the parade he loved to take part in: “As a former member of Monaghan Co Council, John Keenan made a huge contribution. On behalf of the elected members, I want to express my sympathies to his family at this very sad time.”

John was very involved in the vintage scene, not only was he a former chairperson of his local club for many years, organising the club’s annual vintage day for charity, but he was also a former chairperson of the Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (I.V.E.T.A.)

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, Philip Kelly, former Chairperson of Co Monaghan Fine Gael commented: “John was a lifelong member of the Fine Gael party, who served one term on Monaghan Co Council from 2004-2009. He was very well-known because of his work with the ESB.

"He would do anything for anyone and never sought praise. In the last couple of years, John was honoured with an award for a lifetime of services to Fine Gael, alongside a number of other former Fine Gael Co Councillors at a function in Carrickmacross. He was a good friend and we will miss him at our meetings.”

John Keenan, Drumberagh, Laragh, Castleblayney was predeceased by his infant daughter Catherine, his parents Tommy and Margaret, his sister Concepta and his nephews Martin and Damien. He is sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife Mary, daughters Angela, Helen, Maria, Maggie and Lorraine; his sons-in-law; his much-loved grandchildren Tommy, Jessie, Connell, Daniel, Dylan, Cillian, Abbie, Oisín, Adele, Jack, Luke, Lucy and Caoimhín; his brother Lorcan and his sisters Catherine and Dympna, his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, many friends and neighbours.