By Paddy McCarthy
James (Jim) McKeon was multi-talented, a published author and an irregular columnist for this paper up to the time he passed away. Jim had a lifelong love of words, but writing was only one of his many passions and that was only for starters, as almost everything that any man would like to do in their lifetimes, James did. The former postman wrote numerous plays and books, as well as touring Ireland with his one-man show.
“I’ve written about 20 plays and 20 books, I was nominated for Cork Person of the Year,” James said before he passed. We covered almost all of them and in our vault we have more for you to read in the coming weeks that I know you will enjoy and help remember how much of a great writer he was in his lifetime.
As well as enjoying the literary world, Jim was also partial to drama and arts, having appeared in a number of films with well-known actors, including Sean Connery and Anthony Hopkins. In his younger years, James was also an accomplished athlete, turning his hand to whatever sport caught his eye. From squash to soccer and GAA, cross-country running to basketball, Jim happily threw himself into the world of sport with gusto.
Jim appeared on The Late Late Show with Pat Kenny, and many more radio and TV shows over the years. He will never be forgotten by myself and my Editor as we loved what he had done for us and also for his kindness that he always had, Rest in Peace James you will be solely missed by all who crossed your path and you put up a great fight with all the health problems you had.
“On December 5th, 2022, peacefully in the tender loving care of the staff at Cork University Hospital in the presence of his loving family, JIM, Halldene and late of Fairhill, dearly loved husband of Margaret (née Cogan) and much-loved father of Andrea, James, Colin, Mark and Ciara and loving brother of Pat, Tony, Sean, Maretta and the late Bernard.
“Sadly, missed by his loving wife and family, brothers, sister, daughters-in-law Lisa, Susan and Laura, grandchildren Darragh, Eli, Zachary, Jill, Adam and Arlo, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbors and friends.”
Yes, we lost a great one in Jim and he deserves to be a legend with all he has done. He was such a nice man that I have to repeat it again and again, RIP.
Congressman Tom Suozzi invited a few friends to come up to Capital Hill in Washington DC for a tour of the building and of course I was one of the invitees, but I could not make the trip due to a previous appointment. I am sure they did not miss me as you can see from this picture with all the smiles on their faces, Ah well, maybe next time.
Tom was a great friend to the Irish during his tenure in Congress. I am sure he will continue to help with multiple causes! We have not heard the last of this great Irish/Italian American.
The United Irish Counties Association are having their Annual Dinner Dance on Sunday January 29th, at Antun’s in Queens Village. Gaels of the year are Charlotte Moore and Ciarán O’Reilly, co-founders of the Irish Repertory Theatre. The Distinguished Service Award will go to Tom Tuffy for his years of service to the United Irish Counties. The event starts at 3 pm with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and dancing from 4 pm to 8 pm. Tickets are $100 each but if you are a member of The Dublin Society $50 will be subsidized by them, with the cost to you at $50 per head. If anyone would like to attend, please let Shane Humphries know at Dubnorth@aol.com. Others can reserve their places by emailing Reservations@gmail.com. Now where else would yea get it.
The Emerald Isle Immigration Center invites you to make a donation at any level at all in support of the help we provide to immigrants of over 100 nationalities all year round. Donate using their Venmo handle @EIICNewYork or visit there website at www.eiic.org for other payment methods.
EIIC works proactively to prevent social isolation and promote wellness among seniors in our communities in the Bronx and Queens.
In partnership with neighborhood venues, they organize fun holiday gatherings, and have continued to host fiber arts and Irish language meet ups online through the pandemic and beyond.
EIIC enables seniors to access primary medical care, while also promoting food security and nutrition as well as offering mental health screenings and individual psychotherapy.
If you appreciate their work with seniors, please consider a donation today to help them keep doing this work in 2023. Any amount, from $5 to $500, or beyond, is very welcome and greatly appreciated. Donations of $100 and above will receive the EIIC 2023 Calendar: A Celebration of Service. Calendars will be mailed out in late December. Your donations are fully tax deductible for the 2022 tax year. They can’t do this work without you!
I hope to see you all again next week when I will really be Out&About…