The Late Gabriel Thomas O'Keefe The death took place at home of Gabriel Thomas O'Keefe, of Main Street Newtownbutler. Born to John Thomas and Annie O'Keefe he had one older sister Bernadette (McDermott - Cavan) and one younger brother James (Belfast). He was educated at St Marys Primary school Newtownbutler and later at St Tiernachs Secondary school Clones. When he left school he assumed a career as a farmer on the family farm at Cornavray whilst also assisting in the family grocer shop situated at Main Street. In 1965 he married Brigid (Grugan- Seskanore) with whom he had five children. In 1969 he set up an insurance consultancy business and over the ensuing 33 years worked hard to build it in to the thriving business it is today. Through his business he became a well known and respected figure throughout Fermanagh, Tyrone and further afield. Gaelic football was his greatest sporting interest. From an early age he lined out for Newtownbutler and gained a reputation as a formidable and uncompromising opponent. He was a stalwart of the 1964 Senior Championship winning team and won Fermanagh County Minor and Senior Football Championship medals among others, an underage medal with Killeevin in Co. Monaghan and represented Fermanagh at both Minor and Senior level in the late 1950s. It was source of great pride to him that his sons and grandsons have carried on the Gaelic tradition with the First Fermanagh's. When he retired as a playing member of the club he retained a keen interest in the fortunes of both his club and county, the last matches attended being the league final and replay at Enniskillen earlier this year. Badminton was to become his main sporting diversion after Gaelic and he competed in various tournaments in Fermanagh, Monaghan, Cavan and Meath. A keen outdoors man he latterly enjoyed spending time boating on the Upper Lough and up until the autumn of 2002 could be found most Sundays, weather permitting, pursuing this pastime. In 1974 he became a member of the Farmers Action group and in 1975/76 a founder member of NIAPA. This organisation was founded to champion the rights of small farmers and as Chairman for six years he travelled extensively for this end including to Brussels and Downing Street. He was a Life Council member at the time of his death. Other groups that he was involved with throughout his life included the Civil Rights Association, the Erne Youth and Community Workshop, the Lough Erne Management Committee, the Newtownbutler Community Development Association (founder member) and the Newtownbutler Area Residents Association. In July 2000 he was diagnosed as having cancer and his approach to this new challenge was typical. Throughout his illness, including stays in hospital in Enniskillen, Belfast, Derry and Dublin for various treatments, he remained positive and good humoured approaching each obstacle with bravery and determination. During this time he took especial comfort from spending time on the family farm. His twin allies throughout were his family an his faith and he was never happier than when his family were gathered together for any celebration. In November he requested that his daughter Grainne bring forward he wedding, planned for January and he spent a very enjoyable day surrounded by his family and friends. He passed away one week later. Requiem Mass was held in St Mary's Church Newtownbutler, celebrated by Canon Murphy and concelebrated by Fr Shannon and Fr Ignatius McQuillan. Music was performed by his daughter-in-law Nuala and her sisters. He is survived by his wife Brigid, sons Damien, Finbarr and Gabriel, daughters Grainne and Ciara, Grandsons Daniel, Conor and Barrai, daughters in law Majella, Sheila and Nuala, Son in Law Barry (King), sister Bernadette (McDermott, Cavan) and her husband Jim and brother James (Belfast) and his wife Mary. Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald January 2003 Tweet

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