Death of charitable Nenagh man

The Nenagh community was saddened to learn of the death last week of one of town's best-known characters, David O'Keeffe.

A man widely renowned for his remarkable charity, David was for years a familiar figure going to and fro on his bicycle around the town. His absence from the streets over the last while was noted with sadness. He died last Thursday, November 10, at Milford Care Centre.

David was a son of Corkman Dan O'Keeffe, a member of Nenagh Urban District Council and, along with Maurice Gough of Dungarvan and Jack Naughton of Nenagh, one of the founders of the iconic Gough, O'Keeffe and Naughton department store (now DV8), which they established at Pearse St in 1930. David carried on the running of the store with Jack Naughton's sons Pat and Seán for several decades until its closure in late 2013.

But he was perhaps better known for his frugal way of life and constant devotion to those in need. Perhaps this stemmed from his experience of growing up in Nenagh in the 1930s and '40s. He once shared his memories of attending St Mary's Boys National School - where he began his education in 1936 - and spoke of the hardship endured by those from a poorer background, some of whom did walk to school barefoot. He was inspired by members of the St Vincent de Paul charity, who gave shoes to the boys in need of them and produced tea and bread and butter for them at lunch time.

David, who missed a year of school after contracting TB, recalled the war years of rationing and how he and his classmates were joined by boys from refugee families that were welcomed to Nenagh during the war.

A deeply religious and selfless man, David went on to become involved in innumerable charitable causes throughout his life. Among them were the Legion of Mary, Nenagh World Aid Society and the Charismatic Prayer Group. He worked for the betterment of provisions for Travellers and also the youth of the town, including involvement in St Paul's Playground.

He continued looking out for those less-well-off right up to his latter years and, though he once received a community award for his work, he never looked for any praise or recognition in return.

David's funeral Mass took place at St Mary of the Rosary Church last Saturday, after which he was buried in Lisboney Cemetery. He is sadly missed by his cousin Michael Burke and his wife Mary, and family, relatives, his kind carer Sinead Morgan, his former colleagues at Gough, O'Keeffe & Naughton, and his many kind and caring neighbours and friends.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.