Sea mus was passionate about community
LARGE numbers of mourners gathered in Crossabeg church recently to say a final farewell to Seamus (James) Kehoe from Kereight, Crossabeg who died following a nine-month battle with illness. News of Seamus’s passing on Friday 8th June shocked and saddened the community where he was well known and liked.
Seamus’s passing is mourned by his loving wife Siobhan, their sons Joseph, Seán and Liam, his daughters in law Elaine and Aideen, his grandsons Ollie and Oisín, his brother Michael, sisters Mary, Margaret and Jo, his relatives and a very large circle of friends.
One of five children to the late James and Alice Kehoe (nee Cashin), Seamus was born and raised in Crossabeg and in later years Seamus and Siobhan built their family home there where they raised their three sons.
Upon Finishing school in Wexford C.B.S., he trained as a Telecom Technician with Post and Telegraphs, later to become Eircom and EIR, where he worked for 40 years always respectful and helpful. He was held in high esteem by his work colleagues. He was a man of great character and loved regaling stories of days gone by.
Seamus was a proud and passionate community man. He always wanted to help others and give them a chance. From a very early age he was involved in a wide range of activities and committees. The Crossabeg/Ballymurn GAA club played a big part in his life and he devoted a lot of time to the club. He was secretary of Bord na nóg for 11 years and worked with underage teams during that time, where he got great enjoyment from the young people. From there he took up the position of Chairman of the club and was the county board rep for a time.
He was secretary of the community centre for many years and up to the time he became ill he was chairman of the new community field and development committee never asking anyone to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. He took a hands on roll cutting the grass and maintaining the facilities. He also became a member of the Board of Wexford Local Development in recent years, where he served on the Enterprise Evaluation Committee.
A devote Catholic, he attended mass regularly in the parish church, where he was always willing to give a hand when called upon. He served a few tenures on the parish committee. He was a member of the Board of management during the building of the current school which opened in 1992. He was involved in establishing the Fás scheme for the community centre and parish properties.
Following his retirement from Eircom, Seamus enjoyed spending time with his family, and particularly with his two grandsons on whom he doted upon. One of his greatest hobbies was gardening, which he had a great talent for. Any spare moment he had was spent working in the garden, which he maintained perfectly. He spent many hours working on projects for family, friends and community groups.
Seamus was waked at his home where huge numbers of mourners gathered to pay their respects. The esteem in which Seamus was held was evidenced by the large attendance at both the removal and his funeral mass. Seamus was laid to rest in Crossabeg Cemetery. A guard of honour from the GAA club accompanied the hearse on both days.
Seamus is survived by his wife Siobhan, sons Joseph, Seán and Liam, his daughters in law Elaine and Aideen, his grandsons Ollie and Oisín, his brother Michael, Kereight; sisters Mary Kinsella, Ballyduff; Margaret Hogan, Sixmilebridge; Jo Mc Carthy, Valleymount; his relatives and many friends.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.