Father Fintan Keegan

Fintan Keegan Obituary

Of the Columban Fathers and a former resident of Milton, MA, died November 5 at a nursing home in Bristol, RI. Previously, he had resided for the past 15 years at the Columban Retirement house in Bristol. He was 98 and the longest-living member of the Columban Mission Society. Born in Ireland in February, 1909, he joined the Columban Fathers in 1927 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1933. After ordination, he was assigned to the U.S., where he held many responsible posts for almost 60 years in seminary training and administration. From 1945 to 1951, he was Rector of the first Columban College Seminary in Milton, MA. From 1953 until 1967, he was at the Columban Headquarters in Nebraska serving as Vice Director of the US Region and also as Director Vocations and Development. In 1969, he was back again in Milton for 3 years, serving as Superior of the Columban House and also as Director of Development. From 1972, he worked in San Francisco promoting mission awareness and fundraising for overseas missions, until he retired to Bristol, RI in 1992. Fr. Keegan was predeceased by his two sisters, Winifred Hegarty who lived in Lynn, MA and Christine Doyle who lived in Quincy, MA. He is survived by ten nephews and nieces, numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, most of whom life in the Boston and Eastern MA area. Viewing will be Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 4-7 PM in St Columban's Chapel, Ferry Rd., Bristol, RI. Funeral Mass on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 11 AM in the St. Columban's Chapel, Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bristol.

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Published by Boston Globe on Nov. 7, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Fintan Keegan

10 Entries

Joseph & Marian Francis

November 8, 2007

It's sad to see the last of this generation pass on. I have fond memories of Uncle Fintan. He once told me a story of a lunchtime visit he had to 10 Kirby St., Braintree when I was about 4 years old:

The two of us were sitting at the table finishing our sandwiches while my mom took out a cake. She asked Uncle Fintan if he wanted some and he replied, "No thank you, but please give my piece to Joe." Being 4 years old, I had not yet discerned the difference between "piece" and "peace", and in addition Uncle Fintan was wearing his collar so I was kind of in a "church mode" from the moment he came over that day. Anyway, I mistook his "piece" offering for a "peace" offering and leaned over the table and shook his hand.

I imagine he got some mileage from that story during his homilies over the years. Right up until the last time I saw him he would always greet me with a handshake and with a warm smile he would say, "Give my piece to Joe".

That and how he used to be able to remove his thumbs (How did he do that?!?) are two memories I’ll always cherish about Uncle Fintan.

He was a remarkable man. Nana, Aunt Freddie, and Uncle Fintan were all truly gifts from God. Rest in peace, Uncle Fintan. May we all live to be 98 years old.

Walter (Wally) Seward

November 7, 2007

Sixty years ago, when Father Keegan was the Rector of the Columban Seminary in Milton, MA, I was a seminary student there for a year and a half. I have very fond memories of those days with Father Keegan. He was truly a gentle and kind man of God. He loved to walk around the beautiful grounds there and always stopped to talk with the students. He was very interested in what was on our minds while on the ball field and would often join in our activities. He was very clever as he performed little "tricks" with his feet with the football - as if it were a soccer ball. Father Keegan truly loved his work and his life. May God bless him with eternal rest in heaven.
(Although I grew up in Everett, I eventually married a Milton girl and was just up in Scituate two weeks ago vacationing in the family summer home there. I noticed that two relatives are from Scituate and Cohasset.)

John Doyle

November 7, 2007

Rest in peace Uncle Finton. What a phenomenal run by you (and your sisters for that matter). It's truly a better world having had the pleasure of your company for nearly a century. Say hello to Nana & Freddie. God Bless!

patricia doyle

November 7, 2007

Dear Unkie:

You were a treasure and a blessing to our entire family. May you rest peacfefully with Nana, Grandpa Bill, Freddie and Uncle James. love, Patricia Doyle

Brian Roche

November 7, 2007

Uncle Fintan: thank you for all the love, wisdom, and inspiration that you bestowed on all of us in the Doyle family over many many years. The excitement we would experience growing up upon hearing the great news "Uncle Fintan is coming over to visit!" seems very real to this day, many decades later. Your magic tricks were the the stuff of legends. Your caring demeanor was evident in everything you did and every story you told. The only solice we can take upon hearing the sad news of your passing is that you are now with your beloved Nana and Freddy, both of whom are terribly missed to this day. The lessons of love, devotion, and the importance of family that carry on generations later are the lasting legacies of you three truly wonderful people. Thank you so much Uncle Fintan....rest in peace.

JEANNIE ROCHE

November 7, 2007

Beloved Uncle Fintan:
You will be so terribly missed by us all! We have so many fond memories of you growing up. I and all of my cousins will always remember you playing with us and that 'missing thumb trick' that I still fell for in later years. You were adored by your sisters, Nana and Freddie, and all of your nieces and nephews. It still amazes me how successful you all became having come from a challenging childhood and amazing immigration from Ireland by yourselves! You were the most sweetest, gentle, kind, loving, sharp, charismatic, funny, unassuming and holy man I have ever met. I only wish that I got down there to see you more than the handful of times I did to that beautiful place in RI. You had such an amazing history with the Columban Fathers and you were a most loyal servant of God. I have to say, you certainly had some higher power watching ouT for you as all of your assigments were pretty plush! I saw your place in San Francisco and of course your beautiful spot in Bristol,(aka Newport)RI is second to none! I know you loved it down there with your long daily walks and what better place for your final resting than with your fellow priests in that beautiful area! Rest well Unkie we love you! We know you are in great hands up there Uncle Fintan! Love always and forever, Jeannie Roche

tom doyle

November 7, 2007

Dear Uncle Fintan:
Rest peacefully up in heaven. Your re-united with your family and I know you'll continue to look out for the rest of us. We will miss you always. God continue to bless you always,
love Tom.

Heidi Doyle

November 7, 2007

Unkie, we feel so blessed having had you marry us in San Diego. Your memory will always be with us in your namesake Michael 'Fintan' Doyle.
In God's Peace~
Steve and Heidi Doyle

Bill Doyle

November 7, 2007

"Uncle Fintan", Thank you for the impact you had on all of our lives and the many memories. From the time we were small children, facinated with your trick thumb to the visits with a big box of Mounds Candy Bars to our First Communion, Confirmation and Wedding Days. Your memory along with Nana and Freddie will always bring a warm smile and a sadness that we must now wait to see you all in Heaven. You have been rewarded for the love you have shown each and every one of us. May you now rest comfortably in Heaven with your sisters and other loved ones. Thank you for touching our lives.

Robert & Jean Motta

November 7, 2007

Sincere Sympathy on your loss

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