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Only a select few people have made as great an impact on the Newry business community as the late Michael McKeown, who was laid to rest today 19 September following a funeral service at Newry Cathedral.
That's only a small part of the story though, as while his entrepreneurial skills were without doubt exceptional, his intense interest and knowledge of local history and the ability to share that knowledge in his writings defined the man every bit as much. He was also a founding Trustee of the O’Fiaich Library in Armagh something he was very proud of indeed. Then there was his revival of Newry's Matt D'Arcy whiskey brand, a spell as President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and the substantial interest he and his wife Carmel had in supporting projects in Africa and here at home.
Ultimately though family was everything to him, and they along with his many friends filled Newry Cathedral to capacity to pay their final respects to the Lurgan born man who had adopted our city as his home. A Guard of Honour from CRASH Services, the company he founded in 1996, solemnly lined the cathedral steps as family members carried his remains into the church.
McKeown.
Today's Requiem Mass was led by Canon Francis Brown with family friends Canon Liam Stevenson, Fr Sureish, Fr Donal and Fr Andrew assisting. Archbishop Eamon Martin also took part in the ceremony.
At the beginning of Mass Seamus McKenna brought up a CRASH Services numberplate representing all the businesses McKeown had started. Canon Brown noted that just last weekend McKeown had said the business would not have happened without McKenna's encouragement. His grandchildren Fintan, Liam, Harry and Megan McKeown then brought up other cherished memories. Harry brought up a golf club symbolising his grandparents great love of golf. Liam brought up 'The Book of Newry' reflecting his grandfather's life-long love of Newry and passion for local history. Fintan brought up a family photograph celebrating the love they shared and Megan brought his distinctive fedora hat, a nod to his unique sense of fashion.
A quiet reflective man
Speaking about his friend of 16 years, Canon Brown said: "He was someone during his life who had a great influence on so many people, both family, friends, and parishioners. He was someone who is known far and wide for his kindness and attention to people. He and Carmel contributed generously to the building of St Mary's Primary School in northern Nigeria over several years, and once the primary school was completed, they contributed to the building of the post-primary school for girls. The school has currently in the region of 200 students who board at the school. He was a caring, loving, thoughtful, single-minded, considerate person, an entrepreneur. He was one of life's gentlemen, a quiet, reflective man"
Generosity
Posting on Facebook, SMA Father, Fr Donall O Cathain added: "I have worked in Nigeria for many years and came to know Michael through Mr Rowan Hand. Every year and up to and including the day before his death, Micheal gave a very substantial donation towards education in North Western Nigeria. He has helped literally thousands of deprived boys and girls and his generosity will live on in their lives."
McKeown aged 80 died in hospital in Belfast on Tuesday 15 September, surrounded by his loving family. In his working life he spent three years working as a primary school teacher in Lurgan before joining the family business Reihill McKeown, Wholesale Wines & Spirits. There followed a spell as an insurance broker before he branched into software development, but without doubt his greatest business success was the founding of CRASH Services, his "genius idea to represent the insured driver better than the insurance company" as described by his brother Donagh. The Newry based company with additional offices in Belfast, Derry and Mallusk continues to flourish with his son Jonathan at the helm.
Trailblazer
Speaking at the funeral Jonathan McKeown spoke of his father as a trailblazer: "With Tony and Philip later joining the business, and Colin working with Dad on his literary projects, what Dad created became much bigger than one company. Thirty years later, there are 1000s of people working in an industry which, in this part of the world, Michael created. He didn't help to create it - He created it! He was a trailblazer, and he absolutely relished being one."
He added "But throughout all those struggles, Dad always looked after the people around him. To many of the staff, a lot of whom are here today, he was a second daddy. So much so that I know that the pain of losing him is felt deeply by them too, and that matters far more than any business success."
Passion for history
McKeown probably knew more about Newry than most Newry people, even though he only moved to the town in 1995. In 2008 he produced 'The Book of Newry' for the Old Newry Society, the ultimate go-to book for an in-depth study of our home city. Another publication included 'Matt D'Arcy and Old Newry Whiskies'.
Speaking of his passion for local history his brother Donagh said: "For those who knew Michael, he was driven to be successful in business. What really drove him was his deep and abiding passion for history, local history at that. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Newry, his town of residence from the mid 1990s. From being part of the Old Newry Society to participating in activities in Newry Museum or producing the definitive Book Of Newry, not to mention his contributions in the foundations of the O'Fiach Library in Armagh. It was always a labour of love, never to boast about, merely to revel and share whatever research and nuggets of history he could uncover"
Michael was always a pleasure to meet, full of character and informed discussion. He will be sorely missed."
Columba O'Hare, Editor of Newry.ie added: "Michael was also a generous and enthusiastic supporter of Newry.ie and his advice and insights were always spot on. His enthusiasm was infectious. I will always be eternally thankful for our catch-ups even if all too few. He truly has written his own chapter in the Book of Newry."
