Our Dad, Colin Joseph O’Keefe (Cornelius) 1.4.1940 - 6.4.2020

Funeral: Friday 24th April 2020 - 10.00 am

This is a very sad day for all of us.  Our Dad, Colin was born Cornelius Joseph O’Keefe in Cork on 1st April 1940, ‘April fool’s day’, but he was no fool. He had a wicked sense of humour, sarcastic at times but he could always make us laugh, even when he didn’t realise that he was being funny.

He was the older brother to John and Georgie and Dad to me (Joanne) and my older sister Justine. After coming to England Dad grew up around South London and along with his brothers played out in the streets, nicked the odd coin from my Grandad’s money and was probably a nightmare for Nanny to keep track of! 

Growing up we remember him working hard in Fleet Street for the Daily Express newspaper, taking us to see the Lord Mayors Parade, getting his ankles and nose burnt sunbathing in Hastings, singing, nearly appearing on ‘New Faces’ and cooking us dinner after school, ignoring us when we said that the potatoes tasted disgusting, until he tried them and agreed. 

Dad was a very handsome man and spent more time doing his hair and getting ready than most women. He would often be in the bathroom with the hair drier and lacquer while we were outside trying to get in to go to the toilet. He had a great sense of style and more than one sports jacket! 

He took up golf at his beloved Shooters Hill, and we never really saw him again. Unless I dressed as a boy and caddy’d for him that was. He was always there either practising or playing at any given opportunity. And if he couldn’t make it to the club, he could often be found practicing his swing in the living room!.  He was a great player and had many golf friends and won numerous trophies and glass bowls. It was sad that at the start of his illness he had to give up the sport that he loved so much. He also loved football and was a West Ham fan, well someone has to be! Even when his mind wasn’t at its best, he could still tell you who played for who and where they were in the league.

Dad was a very social person and loved to meet up with his many friends and family members to have a drink or a meal or to entertain them as he was a fantastic singer. He has sung in the clubs and pubs of South London for longer than I can remember. He was quite particular about the musical accompaniment though and could occasionally been seen giving a ‘Colin’ face if the music didn’t sound quite right. And he would never sing Karaoke! It is such a shame that all of his friends, his many female fans and fellow music lovers could not be here to say goodbye to him today.

We have lots of funny memories of Dad that will stay with us forever, one of them has been replicated in the use of Cherry wood for his coffin and cream satin lining. A little joke between me and Justine that he would definitely understand. And a nod towards one of his favourite things to eat: Cherry Pie and Ice cream.  He loved jam doughnuts, but they had to have the right amount of jam, cake!, fish and chips, which John can vouch for. Trips to the caff, an odd pint every now and then and spending time with his family.

Finally, I would like to mention Dad’s four grand-daughters, he was very proud and loved all of them very much, Ellie, Sadie, Ciara and Connie were the girls that he told everyone about and meant so much to him. He was always interested to know what they had been up to, what they had done in their jobs, or in school and where they were going with their friends. Saying goodbye to him today will leave a massive gap in their lives, but they all have fond memories of him.

Goodbye Dad, we will miss you so much. Hope they have jam doughnuts wherever you are, but not too much jam love!

Love from all of us.