The late Fr Jack Keenan The death has taken place in San Deigo, California of Newry born priest Fr Jack Keenan, a native of Monaghan Street. He was ninety one and had celebrated the diamond jubilee of his ordination four years ago. Son of John and Brigid Keenan, he attended primary school in the Car Stands and later the Abbey before studying for the priesthood at the Cross and Passion Order in Dublin where he was ordained in 1943. Two of his brothers were Dominican priests. Fr Basil served for many years of his life in Dundalk and Kilkenny and Fr Bertie was attached to the Dominican house in Dublin. After working in a parish in Scotland Fr Jack Keenan joined the Diocese of San Deigo where he served for over fifty years until his death. He was renowned for his dedicated ministry to the sick and his years are full of stories of this special dedication. He was taught hurling in the Abbey and played for both Down and Armagh as a youth. (In those days the regulations were not as strict as they are now and there was some game involving Down when they were short a player and the put on the red and black). Fourteen years ago his cousin Eithne Keenan organised a memorable golden jubilee get together in his honour in the Shamrocks club and while most of his former schoolmates and sportspeople of his youth were all gone, he knew many of their descendants who were present. His funeral Mass and interment took place in his adopted diocese of San Deigo where he served for so long and where he had been quite active up to the very end. To his relatives here in Newry area and to the many people who knew him in his native district we extend our condolences at this time. Courtesy of the Armagh Examiner 17 April 2007 Tweet

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