Obituary of Henry John Paul Keenan

Henry John Paul “Harry” Keenan, 78, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 25, 2014. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Jean Keenan; eldest son, Paul Francis Keenan; brothers, Brian and Sean Keenan. Harry is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Keenan; son, Christopher Keenan; daughters, Claire Goodrum and husband, Christopher; Margaret Keenan, Julia Melendez and husband, Roberto; brothers Gerard Keenan and wife, Grainne, Martin Keenan and wife, Sue; sister, Anne Grady; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren and one more on the way; and a host of other family and friends. Harry grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage. In his younger years he was a great sportsman and enjoyed playing soccer, Gaelic football, cricket and boxing. As a young adult he moved to England where he met and married the love of his life, Betty, and they remained devoted to each other for 60 years. They raised their family in England and later spent time in Southwest Africa, and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1978 where they settled in Houston. Harry had a successful engineering career with Stewart & Stevenson and later owned his own consulting business. He loved traveling the world and meeting new people; he never met a stranger. He was an avid photographer and a World War II historian who enjoyed studying battle plans. He loved the peace of the ocean and the excitement of aviation and could identify any aircraft simply by the sound of its engine. Harry was a true craftsman and enjoyed working with his hands, whether building furniture or designing decorative ironwork. He took immense joy in making toys for his children when they were young, from rocking cradles and cribs for his girls’ dolls, to forts and working tanks for his boys. He even designed and built the crib for his first born grandchild. He was a grand storyteller and a poet. Affectionately known as “Granddad”, it was a rite of passage for all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to experience his “Beardies” and “Nosies”. His family will forever remember his colorful personality, his warmth, intelligence and quick wit, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A visitation for Harry will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 3:00 until 5:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The funeral mass will take place on Monday, September 29, 2014 at 9:00 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 5560 Laurel Creek way, Houston, Texas 77017 with Rev. Michael Barrosa. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson, Texas.