THE death of Frankie McKeown robbed Lurgan of one of its best known and finest citizens.
The eldest of 11 children born to publican Terence McKeown and his wife Kathleen, Frankie began life above the family bar in Castle Lane before moving at an early age to what was to become the family home at Kiln Lane, Silverwood.
He spent his early teenage years in St Patrick’s College, Armagh and always cherished happy memories of his time there and the many lifelong friendships made.
On leaving college he joined the family wholesale wines and spirits company Terence McKeown and Sons.
Blessed with a friendly, outgoing personality, he quickly proved himself to be an extremely popular and astute business man, well known and liked throughout the Northern Ireland licensing trade.
Becoming managing director of the company re-named Rehill McKeown, Frankie oversaw it grow and expand before finally being sold in the late 1990s to C&C.
Although he made many business deals throughout his life, undoubtedly his greatest achievement was in persuading Bridie Burns to marry him in St James’s Church, Aldergrove in August 1960.
Bridie, the love of his life, was to be an unfailing support and comfort to him throughout 58 years of happy married life.
Frankie loved all sport. A life long supporter of the Armagh county football team, he himself had been an elusive corner forward for Clan na Gael and Derrymacash Wolfe Tones throughout the 1950s.
In 1963 Frankie joined Lurgan Golf Club and rapidly became a very keen competitive golfer, winning a plethora of trophies and representing the club on the Rossmore and Ulster Cup teams.
Elected club captain in 1972 and president from 1982-84, he served as a member of council and a trustee for well nigh 50 years.
As chairman of Rehill McKeown he sponsored many club competitions. Club members of a certain age and golfing members of the licensing trade will happily recall his sponsorship of the annual Pernod competition following which even the losers went home smiling.
Frankie also had a great interest in horse racing and regularly attended most of the big meetings throughout Ireland. For a few very exciting years he derived great pleasure, mixed with a little heartbreak, from being part owner of a promising steeplechaser named Church Place.
Apart from sport he devoted many hours to charity and cross-community work, particularly as a very energetic member and president of Lurgan Rotary Club.
As the eldest of a large family Frankie also maintained great affinity with the young, being never happier than when organising games and competitions for grandchildren, nephews and nieces during family reunions in Silverwood.
Despite his many business and sporting interests, faith and family were the central pillars in his life.
Following several months of steadily declining ill-health, he passed away peacefully at home on February 27 this year surrounded by those who meant all the world to him, his beloved wife Bridie, daughters Mary and Anne and son Mel.
The overflowing congregation at his funeral Mass in St Paul's Church reflected the respect he had earned throughout his life and the esteem in which he was held by all sections of the community.
