Seamus Keating gave his all for the betterment of Passage GAA
The late Seamus Keating.
After a lengthy illness Seamus Keating "Brookfield "Crooke Passage East passed away on November 4 at Signacare Nursing Home, Ferrybank Waterford at the age of 76.
Outside of his family, Seamus lived for hurling and especially Passage hurling, first as a fine player coming to Passage in the 1963/64 season as a Youth, a secretary for a year, a selector, a chairperson of the club from 2001 to 2005, a long time committee member and a vice-president up to his death. When he came to Passage, he was joined by his brothers Michael and Pat and later by another brother John.
He would have played minor, Under 21 and as a Junior at just 17 when Passage met Dunhill in their first Eastern final since being reformed, where he scored six points, being very accurate from frees in that final which Passage lost narrowly. The next year, it was another Eastern Final against Kill where again losing narrowly. In 1988 when Passage won their first Intermediate title, Seamus together with his brother John were selectors.
In 1998, Passage won a Junior County title and he was a selector and in 2007 when Passage won its second Intermediate title, Seamus was again a selector. He had a major input into everything associated with Passage Hurling all his life.
On Tuesday evening last, he reposed in his family home in Crooke and on Wednesday morning a Guard of Honour from Passage Hurling Club escorted his remains to nearby Crooke Church from his house and entering the Church gates, the Local Men’s Shed and Faithlegg Golf Club also performed one. His Requiem Mass was celebrated by a great friend of the family Fr Derry Quirke P.P Ballingarry, Co Tipperary, who was well-known to Seamus having hurled with him during his time as a curate here in the Parish and his first encounter with him where he was invited by Seamus to the Keating family home for a wonderful reception.
The Soloist was Sarah Jane Lavery accompanied by Mark Robinson. The readings were by Paula Keating and Nicola Keating, with mementoes of his life were brought to the altar by his grandchildren Aoife, Emma, Nicky and Erin. These included his Passage Jersey, a Golf Putter, a family photo and a deck of cards. Prayers of the faithful were read by Colette Roche, Marianne Keating and Marie Doherty and the Offertory Gifts were brought up by Erin Keating and Emma Fitzgerald. Fintan Walsh read the Hurler's Prayer after Communion at the family's request.
Fr Quirke thanked Fr PJ Breen for his welcome to him to celebrate the funeral Mass. In his homily, Fr Quirke covered Seamus's life at first in the Cork Road until his father died unexpectedly. He then moved to Faithlegg, which was his mother’s home place. He worked in Waterford Glass for a year as an apprentice blower, but it wasn't for him. He also worked at Kavanagh's Electrical again for a short time before working with the De La Salle brothers in Faithlegg on the land where Faithlegg House Hotel is now where he learned so much.
He then did a stint at fishing and being over in the Isle of Man with others from Passage at the herrings. Later in life he together with his wife Una were a great help to Eddie Delahunty in Kilcullen, on the farm having learned so much about farming with the De La Salle Brothers he fitted in ideally and herself on the cooking and household duties.
Fr Quirke praised the great care his wife Una took of him while at home for many years until his eventual move to Signacare some four and a half years ago. He mentioned Seamus's love of a game of cards mainly as a Social occasion and his time in Faithlegg Golf Club as a player and being their Club President in 2010 and also with the Men's Shed.
His daughter Ann Marie Fitzgerald thanked all the Medical doctors and nurses at Signacare for the wonderful care given to her father and also to the Kehoe Practice and the Men's Shed for their input. She also paid tribute to all the support from neighbours and others in the days after his death and all the stewards on both days.
After Mass his remains passed Passage Hurling Club Grounds on its way to Crooke Cemetery where a Guard of Honour from Passage Hurling Club accompanied him to his place of rest with flags flying at half-mast as a mark of respect. In the Graveyard Fr Quirke assisted by Fr PJ Breen P.P said the final prayers. A final song dear to Seamus's heart "Oh Grace Come Hold Me "was sung and accompanied by a grandson of Una's sister Marie, Liam Frampton.
Sympathy is extended to his wife Una (nee Connors) herself steeped in another great hurling family with Passage and a regular volunteer with anything going on in the club, her son Seamus (jnr )an All-Ireland u21 player on the County winning panel in 1992, his daughter Ann Marie, who was the first female committee member of the club and a trojan worker in several capacities, also grandchildren Aoife and Emma Fitzgerald both County Senior Camogie Champions with Gaultier, Nicky and Erin, daughter in- law -Paula and son -in- law- Paul, brothers and sister, brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, extended family. May he rest in peace.
