After a 30-year battle, the family of Daniel Keenan, a military hero, is granted a permanent memorial in his honour.
Daniel Keenan, who dedicated his life to assisting neighbourhood children, has won a 30-year battle for a permanent memorial in his honour.
Daniel Keenan, a veteran of Dunkirk, has finally had a memorial bench placed at Gibshill’s brand-new kid’s play area, which was formerly the location of a youth group he oversaw.
Dad-of-five After experiencing his own double tragedy, Daniel felt motivated to assist young people in Gibby.
On the day his loving wife passed away, he lost his 12-year-old son, Danny.
From that point on, he devoted all of his time and resources to helping local kids by providing them with vacations, operating youth organisations, and keeping them off the streets.
His son Gerry, 55, who continues his father’s legacy by managing a local football team and still resides in Gibshill, said: “My dad battled so hard to help kids in Gibshill.”
We are quite pleased with his accomplishments.
“I’m happy that he was at last recognised in Gibshill.”
“Having a place nearby is beneficial because people still remember my dad and all of his good deeds,”
Since Daniel’s death from a heart attack in 1986 at the age of 62, his family has fought for a permanent memorial to him. They have even taken their battle to the UK Parliament.
In February 1968, Daniel lost his wife Susan, who had heart issues.
Tragically, Danny drowned in the River Clyde two years later, at the age of 12.
The couple also had four more children: Gerry, their youngest son, Roselynne; their oldest daughter, Susan, who was 58; and Jean, who died in 1994 at the age of 47.
Danny, a bus driver, dedicated his entire life to assisting kids when his son passed away. He even opened a youth club on Shankland Road.
For his work with youth, he was awarded a BEM.
33 years later, the Inverclyde Council intervened to erect a memorial bench in the park at the location of the formerly active club known as Danny’s Place in the neighbourhood.
