Parcourez la nécrologie de Thomas Tommy O’Keeffe 2024 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Thomas (Tommy) O’Keeffe, peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023, during his short stay at Bethell Hospice, after a strong battle with bone cancer.
Born in Waterford City, Ireland in 1941, he is pre-deceased by his parents John and Lil O’Keeffe, his brothers Paddy, Joe, and Robert, his sisters Kathleen, Mary and Bridget. Survived by his two daughters, his three sisters Tess, Frances and Philly, his brother Johnny, and his many nieces and nephews who deeply mourn his loss, including his many fans, friends and adoptive families.
Tommy’s education and passion for horses started very early in life. Back in Ireland, Tommy would run to the bookies for his mom after his father became gravely ill. Leaving the family home for England at the age of 13 to work on a horse farm, he returned back home after being “black-booked”, and started work with a family friend named, “Morgan”, breaking yearlings.
Morgan put Tommy on an older horse named “Sympathy” and was told to go down on the furrow and back, jumping over three of Tommy’s first fences. Morgan didn’t care that Tommy was black-booked because he saw through his capabilities and passion. After a wee bit of a battle between Morgan and “Brooks” from England, Morgan got the best of Brooks, and was able to get back Tommy’s papers. On August 9th, 1959, Morgan put Tommy in his first race, running steeplechase on “Granddaughter 2nd” amongst 28 horses at Phoenix Park in Dublin, and naturally won first place. There was a party for Tommy’s success with a bonfire, singing and dancing – just as he would have loved.
Tommy came to Canada in 1961. Already a lifelong horseman who was well-respected for his passion, welfare for horses, mentorship, and successes – such as winning 245 races of which were 15 stakes, Tommy worked until the day he was physically unable, with his last win for INGORDWETRUST on July 1, 2022. On Woodbine’s opening day of 2023, it hit him the hardest when he realized for the first time, that he was not able to be working. The offer for taking him to attend, was just not enough.
Tommy will be forever remembered by all those who were blessed to have known him. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth, wisdom, and many fond memories. His words of encouragement, advice, and positivity, sport talk – (especially about Manchester United, and impressed for the women getting their deserved recognition in golf) – and always being ready for a good laugh, will last with us always.
“In Memorial” Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street South (Hwy. 50), Bolton, Ontario L7E 2C6 (905-857-2213) with a light luncheon to follow.
Those unable to attend the service in person are invited to view the service through live streaming through ForgetMeNotCeremonies.com (the link for the service will be posted here on Friday, January 26) You will be required to register for the service and then Forget Me Not Ceremonies will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link. If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. Their customer service team will guide you step by step.
In lieu of flowers, it is kindly requested that memorial donations, in honour of Thomas (Tommy) O’Keefe, be made to either, Bethell Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 75, Inglewood L7C 3L6 (905-838-3534) foundation.bethellhospice.org/ or LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, 555 Rexdale Blvd, P.O. Box 156, Toronto M9W 5L2 (416-675-3993 ext. 3440) longrunretirement.com/donate-now/
Condolences may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
2024
Décès pour la Ville:Bolton, Province: Ontario
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nécrologie Thomas Tommy O’Keeffe 2024
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