Gerald Keough
Passed on: August 6th, 2008
92, Sydney It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald Keough, 92, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at 93 Leeside Dr., where he resided with his oldest son Ron. Gerald, known by many as ‘Jerry’ or ‘Jed’, was the oldest son of James and Elizabeth Keough (Haney) Heaney of French Street, Whitney Pier. He was predeceased by his wife, Bernadette (Bernie O’Neil). He was also predeceased by his parents, brother, Joseph (Joe), sister, Mary (Mamie) and his twin brother, Ronald. He is survived by his siblings, Madeline (Fitzgerald), Pierce, Jimmy and Anna (LeTourneau). Jerry’s very full life was one he enjoyed thoroughly, especially those times spent with his family and friends. His capacity to help others will be missed by everyone. Jerry was a long-term employee of Dosco and Sydney Steel, retiring in 1980 after 46 years in the coke ovens department. During his latter years, some of Jerry’s fondest memories were from his younger very active athletic days. He loved to reminisce about his many trips and adventures. He recently said that the one thing he would want to do one more time was ‘play ball.’ In the 1930s, Jerry was a well known sports figure. Know as ‘lefty’, he led the Sydney Wildcats to a Maritime championship. In deference to the ‘batboy’, Sam Murphy, Jerry was the last surviving member of this winning team. He also played hockey but it was ‘playing ball’ that he loved. Jerry remained active in sports for as long as possible. When he could no longer play ball, he and his wife Bernie became active bowlers. In the 40s, Jerry built his family home in Ashby where he and Bernie raised their five children. While living there, they were active members of St. Theresa’s parish. During the past 24 years, he resided in Coxheath and attended Our Lady of Fatima. Like many Cape Bretoners, Jerry looked forward to the many visits by his children and grandchildren ‘from away.’ He missed them terribly. He made frequent trips across the country to visit with them as well. During these trips ‘out west’ Jerry was able to help his son Jack build his house in B.C. on Green Lake; sing along while his daughter Fran played the piano; watch his son Jerry Pat play oldtimers hockey and display the hockey skills he loved to watch; savour the wonderful meals his daughter Alayne prepared. At home, he zealously and competitively played cards with his son Ron. He loved helping Bernie make her delicious bread. He was proud of their garden producing some of the best tomatoes and rhubarb anywhere for family and friends to enjoy. He was proud of and loved his family dearly. For anyone that knew Jerry, his playfulness with and love of children was an endearing quality. His grandchildren, especially, have been left with many loving memories to cherish forever. Though their children moved ‘away’ to live and raise their families, Jerry along with his wife Bernie became surrogate grandparents/parents to a few young families living near them, and among these were the MacEachern girls, who they loved dearly. Gerald is survived and will be sadly missed by his five children, Fran (Alan Markwart), Victoria, Alayne (David Hopgood), Vancouver, Ron, Sydney, Jack, Green Lake, and Jerry-Pat (Kathy Leidl), Prince George; by his nine grandchildren, Priscilla and Jay Markwart; Amber, Elizabeth and Stephen Hopgood, David and Karen Keough; Sean Keough; Dennis Fricker; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor Hutchinson and Taylor Anne Fricker. Jerry was predeceased by his companion pet of 24 years, Bijou. Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10. Funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River, at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com.
