Funeral procession ... Tom's coffin
Tom Keane died last week after a month-long battle with the disease.
The recently retired plumber with Limerick City Council contracted the illness while on holiday in America.
The 66-year-old and wife Olive had travelled to Chicago to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Tom’s son, Fr Richard Keane, presided at yesterday’s funeral Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace, Janesboro, where 200 mourners attended — including 32 priests.
An emotional Fr Keane told mourners: “Over the last ten years, I have presided over many funerals. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be presiding at my father’s funeral Mass this year.
“My father absolutely adored my mother. They were married for 40 years. He would give her breakfast in bed nearly every morning. He drove her everywhere. They weren’t just husband and wife, they were best friends. They idolised each other.
“Thank God for the wonderful marriage they’ve had, but it will probably make it so much harder now for Mum to say goodbye.”
Tom retired from Limerick City Council in 2010 after working there as a plumber and later as an assistant supervisor.
Speaking of his parents’ fateful trip to the United States, Fr Keane said: “They had a marvellous holiday, but, tragically my dad picked up Legionnaires Disease.
“For a man who lived for his family, to die as a consequence of his anniversary holiday trip to America, is a bitter pill for us to try and swallow... but my faith in God is not diminished one little bit.”
The recently retired plumber with Limerick City Council contracted the illness while on holiday in America.
The 66-year-old and wife Olive had travelled to Chicago to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Tom’s son, Fr Richard Keane, presided at yesterday’s funeral Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace, Janesboro, where 200 mourners attended — including 32 priests.
An emotional Fr Keane told mourners: “Over the last ten years, I have presided over many funerals. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be presiding at my father’s funeral Mass this year.
“My father absolutely adored my mother. They were married for 40 years. He would give her breakfast in bed nearly every morning. He drove her everywhere. They weren’t just husband and wife, they were best friends. They idolised each other.
“Thank God for the wonderful marriage they’ve had, but it will probably make it so much harder now for Mum to say goodbye.”
Tom retired from Limerick City Council in 2010 after working there as a plumber and later as an assistant supervisor.
Speaking of his parents’ fateful trip to the United States, Fr Keane said: “They had a marvellous holiday, but, tragically my dad picked up Legionnaires Disease.
“For a man who lived for his family, to die as a consequence of his anniversary holiday trip to America, is a bitter pill for us to try and swallow... but my faith in God is not diminished one little bit.”
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