Fr John McKeon, former parish priest at Grays, died on 17 January 2024.
Fr John was born on 15 August 1932 at Boyle, Co. Roscommon. He was educated for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Thurles, and accepted for the Diocese of Brentwood by Bishop Wall in 1960. He was ordained on 10 June 1962 (with Father Kieran Dodd) by Archbishop Morris of Cashel & Emly at Thurles Cathedral. Fr John was appointed as Assistant Priest, Holy Family, Dagenham (1962-1971) and to Benfleet (1971-1973). He was subsequently appointed Parish Priest of Holy Family, Benfleet (1973-1978); Our Lady & St George, Walthamstow (1978-1990) and St Thomas of Canterbury, Grays (1990-2008). He was prominent in educational matters while at Walthamstow, serving as Diocesan Representative on the Waltham Forest Education Committee and was Chair of Governors at three separate primary schools at the same time. He was a Dean of Waltham Forest and South Essex Deaneries and was also a Consultor under Bishop Thomas McMahon. He retired in 2008 and was in residence with Fr Stephen Myers at Holy Family, Dagenham until 2020 when he moved to Park View Care Home, Dagenham. Fr John was a keen opera and theatre goer for many years.
Please pray for the response of the soul of Fr John and for his family and friends.
Details of his funeral: Fr John McKeon’s body will be received into Holy Family Church, Dagenham at 5pm on Monday 12 February and Mass will be celebrated at 7pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family, Dagenham on Tuesday 13 February at 11.30am.
Refreshments will be available at St Thomas More Church, Barking following the Requiem Mass.
Fr John’s body will be buried in Ireland with his family.
Fr Kieran Dodd (below left) and Fr John McKeon (below right), who were ordained together, celebrated their diamond jubilees on 10 June 2022 with Fr George Towler (ordained on 16 June) at Ss Peter and Paul in Ilford. Bishop Alan presided at the Mass.
