REV. FATHER HUGH (KEEGAN), C.P. On Friday, July 24, the death occurred at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, of Rev. Father Hugh (Keegan), C.P. Born near Killucan, Co. Westmeath, in 1886, Father Hugh came of a family which has given many of its members to the service of God in the priesthood and the religious life. As a youth, he entered the Passionist Novitiate at Broadway, Worcestershire, England, and, having completed his studies., was ordained in 1911. During the First World War he served with distinction in the British Forces, and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at Gallipoli. At the conclusion of hostilities Father Hugh returned to his Province. Until his assignment to Holy Cross, Ardoyne, some thirty years ago, he was attached to several houses of the Congregation in this country and in Britain. During his earlier years he was well known as missioner and retreat-master. For a considerable time, however, failing health had made the active ministry impossible for him, and he lived quietly at Holy Cross. In 1961 he had the joy of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Although death came unexpectedly, it did not find him unprepared. He passed peacefully to his reward, fortified by the grace of the Last Sacraments. On Monday, July 27, Very Rev. Father Valentine, C.P., Provincial, presided at the Solemn Obsequies held at Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne. (The Cross, Vol. LV, 1964-65; p. 120) Obituary Rev. Fr. Hugh Keegan of the Immaculate Conception who died on 27th July, 1964 The tolling of the bell from the tower of Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne, on Monday, July 25, 1964, marked the end of his earthly, pilgrimage for Fr Hugh Keegan, C.P. That pilgrimage had spanned 78 years of life, 56 years as a member of the Passionist Congregation and 53 in the priesthood The pilgrimage began in the town of Killucan , Co Westmeath, on March 16, 1886. He was the youngest of a family of eight. After completing his studies at the local school, he entered the Diocesan Seminary at Mullingar. He was accepted by the Bishop for his Diocese. He then proceeded to Maynooth College to commence his theological studies. However, during the years in Maynoth, he came into contact with the Passionists and was attracted by their life and work. As a result he applied to the Provincial and entered the Novitiate in Broadway, where he was professed in February of 1908. Three years later he was ordained. The outbreak of war 1914 created a demand for chaplains to attend to the spiritual needs of the many Catholics in the British Army, and Fr Hugh was one of the first to volunteer. He took part in the landing at Gallipoli and for his valour on that occasion he was awarded the Military Cross. Later he saw service in Egypt, Greece and France. With the cessation of hostilities he returned, and in the years that followed gave countless missions and retreats in England, Ireland and Scotland. Finally he was appointed to Holy Cross’s Retreat, Belfast where he was to spend the last 30 years of his life, first engaged in parish work and then again on the missions. It is easy to summarise the life of a priest in a few paragraphs. But anyone familiar with Passionist life will be able just as easily to fill in the details. The thousands of mornings he ascended the altar to offer Holy Mass. The tens of thousands he helped and consoled in the confessional and in their homes. The sermons preached in the shadow of the Cross of Christ in many parts of the world. And in father Hugh’s case it adds up to a lifetime of service in the cause Christ Crucified, and lifetime of fidelity to the vows he made as a young man, a lifetime of love for the uniform he so proudly wore – the habit of St Paul of the Cross. His last years were years of suffering. A heart ailment, which grew steadily worse, forced him to give up active duty, but he seldom failed, even to within a few days of his death, to make his way slowly down four flights of stairs to the church to offer Mass at a six in the morning. Among the community has fantastic memory of people and places and events was a byword. Detail poured upon detail as if it had happened yesterday. This was especially true of his parish where he lived so long and where he carried the love and respect of young and old alike. For everyone in the Community and in the Parish his passing was a deep personal sorrow, and the tolling f the bell marked the end of a long chapter in the history of Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne. In the Church packed to capacity, parishioners, friends, relatives, clergy of the diocese and his brethren in religion paid their last respects as the solemn Requiem mass was sung. A nephew, Fr Thomas Keegan, Parish Priest in Sheffield, was celebrant. A cousin, Canon McAvoy of Crossmaglen, was Deacon and Fr Peter Paul, C.P., was subdeacon. His Lordship, Dr William J. Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor, presided at the Mass and officiated at the graveside. May he rest in peace. Father Alphonsus, C.P., Rector, Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast.