OBITUARY: Don Keating's family was his everything

Don Keating, Annaverna Drive, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, who passed away peacefully in the care of Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, Drogheda, on 28th July 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Don kept his fantastic humorous personality which lasted throughout his illness, right to the end. He was a family man and never stopped grieving from the death of his wife and soul mate Bridie, his son Michael and granddaughter Ciara.

Don was born in Camp Street now Wolfe Tone Terrace. Later his family moved to Mary Street North. He was the eldest in a family of six of the late Patrick Keating and Catherine, nee Traynor. Don received his education at Christian Brothers School,

Dundalk and was among the first pupils in the then new school. Don later attended CBS secondary school.
When he was eleven, in his first job, he worked for “Tempests” before school delivering newspapers, his wages being two and six a week. At the age of twelve Don worked in McKenna Man after school. As a youth he was a member of the Legion of Mary and was a pioneer until he was in his thirties.

Don was a huge sports fan whether watching or playing. In his youth he trained early before work running in Saint Helena’s Park. He ran in the Athletic Club grounds and played football for the Clans. Don won a GAA Medal as an Under 16 with the Gaels. He won a Louth Minor Championship medal with The Clan Na Gaels Dundalk in 1951. A source of great friendship and enjoyment for Don was golf. He was a proud member of the Dundalk Golf Club and the Greenore Golf Club but he especially loved his weekly games with his Thursday golfing crew and the unforgettable trips away with The TJ Golf Society.

Don was very musical. He sang, played the piano and was known also for his recitations. He was a member of The St Patrick's Boys’ Choir and later the Men’s Choir under the musical direction of Mr Michael Van Dessel. On Christmas Eve, aged thirteen, he sang the hymn Adeste Fideles, solo, in St Patrick’s Cathedral which was broadcasted live on Radio Éireann.

Don enjoyed twenty-five happy years with H.F. & J. McCann bakery. Starting his training in McCanns Park Street, then to Clanbrassil Street where he helped with the running of the shop. He delivered the bread from Church Street to Clanbrassil Street and undertook deliveries to customers by bike.

Later Don worked with local man Johnny Clark where he learned the job delivering on a four-wheel horse and cart. Don’s own bread run was from town including Marian Park, Castletown Road, Fatima, Newry Road, Ballymacscanlon, Lordship, Gyles Quay and the last stop being the Alcohol Factory. The first few years Don delivered by horse and cart until the vans arrived. Don fondly recalled his time as a breadman, a job he treasured because it gave him the daily chance to connect with people on his route, sharing a joke and a friendly word with his customers. He served as a union representative and was active in the social club organising dinner dances.

After twenty-five years he left McCann’s and joined R.F. Martins Sales team for two years. Don was one of the Dundalk Credit Union’s founder members over fifty-seven years ago. He was the first Chairman of the Credit Committee and the second Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also found the time with the help of Bridie to create and tend to their award-winning garden.

Ironically, Don first met the love of his life Bridie Cunningham on Distillery Lane where the family wholesale business is now located. Don and Bridie set-up the Don Keating business in their back garage in McSwiney Street. Later the business moved to Thomas Street before finally relocating to Distillery Lane. Don's work was never just a job but a passion. Don had a close relationship with all the staff in the family business treating them like extended family. He often said that they were the best staff/colleagues he ever had the honour to work with.

Family was everything to Don. He was always striving to make a better life for his family and his help was always unconditional. His grandchildren, nieces and nephews always loved the famous “Don handshake” tradition that left them richer!
Don’s reputation for his exceptional meals was well-deserved, as he had a true talent for cooking. He loved to entertain and was a natural host, always welcoming people with amazing food. Beyond that, he was a very generous person with his time and you were never stuck when he was around. He was a great listener and a giver of sound practical advice, always willing to offer a helping hand. You could count on Don to listen without judgment.

Don had a remarkable gift for wit and timing, a natural storyteller, with a great memory that allowed him to perfectly recall and share poems, hilarious jokes and stories he collected over the years. He could make a room light up with laughter and lifted spirits with a well-placed remark. Some of his favourite lines became legendary among family and friends like, “I don’t care what they say about you, I like you,” “there won’t be a word about it in a hundred years” and “enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think”. He had a great fondness for “The Bread-Knife Ballad” by Robert W. Service which he delivered with his trademark wit and charm. His stories, jokes, poems and the one-liners he shared with such ease will be missed.

Don was the beloved husband of the late Bridie and dear father of Bernadette, Fiona, Dónal and the late Michael and cherished granddad of Eoghan and the late Ciara, James, Callum, Stephen, Kyle, Jordan and Preston, Dónal Óg, great granddad of Cian and Molly, brother of Irene, Paddy, Tony, Colm and the late Bernadette. Don will be dearly missed by sons-in-law, Aidan and Michael, daughters-in-law, Barbara and Gráinne, Eoghan’s wife Melanie, Callum’s partner Shauna, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, work colleagues, customers and friends.

Don reposed at his home on Tuesday and Wednesday and the funeral took place on Thursday 31st July 2025 at Saint Brigid's Church, Kilcurry. At the beginning of the Requiem Mass symbols of Don’s life were brought up: a photograph of Don as a member of The Van Dessel Choir, a photograph of Don and Bridie on their wedding day, a Credit Union Book, along with his first golf putter, a silver salver from McCann’s Bakery, a Clan’s jersey and Don Keating Group Catalogues were presented at the altar by James, Dónal Óg, Irene, Eoghan, Colm, Kyle and Paula McCabe. Father Padraig Keenan P.P. Haggardstown, described their significance in his life.

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Gráinne and Aidan read the Readings. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Callum, Stephen, Mary Breen, Adrienne, Fiona and Bernadette. The Offertory gifts were taken to the altar by Bernadette, Fiona and Dónal. Father Keenan P.P. delivered a very apt eulogy on Don's life. While son-in-law Michael gave a snapshot of Don's life. Don’s goddaughter and niece Elizabeth read the reflection. The dignified ceremony was enhanced by the beautiful, fitting music and song provided by organist Brendan McCourt and soloist Sarah McCourt. Don is now reunited with his soul mate Bridie, son Michael and granddaughter Ciara.

The family of Don Keating wishes to thank everyone most sincerely for your generous expressions of kindness and sympathy and sharing in the celebration of Don’s life. Your presence and memories were a comfort to us all. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at The Oriel One Ward in the Louth County Hospital and the ambulance crews for their exceptional care and compassion. Also, they are deeply grateful for the support, kindness and care provided by the Palliative care team at The Dóchas Centre throughout Don’s journey.

“Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think”