This month the Knights would like to recognize the family of Keith McKeown, who shared this letter about his family with us.
To begin, I would like to thank all of my fellow Knights of Columbus Brothers in Council 13139 who have gracefully bestowed this honor upon my family. My family has chosen to humbly dedicate this recognition in memory of my father, John McKeown, who passed away in 2011, yet remains as a daily inspiration to all the members of my family.
My name is Keith McKeown and I formally joined the Parish in 2021. My parents, John and Barbara McKeown joined St. Peter shortly after becoming Jupiter residents in the early 2000's. Born and raised in Long Island, NY my parents were brought up in the Catholic faith by their parents, who emigrated from Ireland and Norway. Instilled with a hard work ethic, my father was able to work his way through school and began his career working on the trading Floor of The New York Stock Exchange shortly after the end of WWII. Starting as a clerk, through hard work and limitless determination he eventually secured a position as a broker on the Exchange for Josephthal and Co. This promotion came at a crucial time, as Dad was newly married to my amazing mother, Barbara. Soon thereafter my two older sisters Barbara and Dawn were born, with me to follow.
In the mid 1960's my family was blessed to be able to settle in the beautiful town of Manhasset, Long Island. Continued years of hard work allowed my father to become one of the 1,366 "Seat" owners on the floor of the NYSE. After grueling days of being on his feet all day in a pressure-packed work environment, our father still found the time to volunteer at St. Mary's of The Angels home in Syosset, NY. It was a foster home for young boys, many of whom suffered physical and mental abuse. By forging a close relationship with the Nuns who ran the home, my father became a pillar of support and growth of the facility. In the early 1980's a new wing was added to the home and was dedicated as “The McKeown House” as a living testimony to the support my father had provided to these children in need.
In addition, my father volunteered innumerable hours for Catholic Charities of Long Island. In the late 1980's my father was appointed as a Knight of Malta, the highest honor that can be awarded a Catholic layperson.
My father was a perfect example of a Catholic gentleman; a great husband, father, friend and inspiration. His memory will live on at St. Peter, where a brick in his honor is laid in the Parish memorial garden.
Barbara, my mother, was the bedrock and foundation behind my father's life, through good times and bad. Married for 53 years, their mutual love for each other was always foremost in their lives. My sisters and I are so blessed that my mother is hale and hearty and remains as a fixture to her family and friends. She is the proud Grandmother of my nephew John Hanna and to my 10-year-old son, Brett McKeown.
May God continue to bless all of us in this wonderful community, and to continue the selfless example of love and dedication that all of our parents have set forth for us in the name of our savior, Lord Jesus Christ.
Fondly,
Keith McKeown
コメント