KEANEY, Berk

KEANEY, Berk Sr. - It is with both sadness and a sense of peace that the family announces the passing of Berk Keaney Sr., at the age of 90. Sadness at the loss of an incredible man loved deeply by so many, but peace in the knowledge that he has been reunited with Nora, the love of his life and wife of 56 years. Berk was born on November 26, 1921 in Arnprior, Ontario, to Ernest Keaney and Mary Walsh, the seventh of eight children. In 1935, he moved to Sudbury, the city he loved and would call home for the rest of his life. It was in Sudbury that Berk would, in 1939, begin a 43 year career at INCO's Frood Mine, interrupted only by a three-year stint in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1942 to 1945. It was here that Berk and Nora would meet, fall in love, and, in 1948, marry. And it was here that they would raise their four children, Berk Jr., Maureen, Cathy and Dan. Berk was known to many as the “Voice of the Sudbury Wolves“, serving as the team's public address announcer from 1953 until his retirement last December. Indeed, throughout his life, he was a fixture in the Sudbury sports community. As a youth, he played both baseball and hockey. From 1966 to 1974, he coached both the Steelworkers and the Sudbury Shamrocks baseball teams. From 1960 to 1979, he was the referee-in-chief of the Sportsman Hockey League. In 1979, he was inducted into the Sudbury Kinsmen Sports Hall of Fame. And this past June, he received special recognition from the House of Kin for lifetime achievement in sports. Berk was the Sports officer for many years of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 224 and was recently presented with his 65 year pin. Above all else, Berk was a loving and devoted family man. He adored, and was adored by, his children, his 15 grandchildren and his 4 great grandchildren. For years, Berk and Nora's home was the center of laughter and life for family and countless friends. This was fitting for a man who took no greater joy in life than simply being around those he loved. Berk is predeceased by Nora, his brothers Jack, Desmond, Maurice, and Marty, and his sisters Loreto, Helen and Catherine. He is survived by Berk Jr., Maureen, Cathy and husband Al, and Dan and wife Tess; his grandchildren Andrew, Erin (OJ) P.J., Kevin (Caroline), Michael (Andrea), Conor, Lauren (Blair), Tara (Ede), Nora (Paul), Shailagh, Caitlin, Colleen, Heather, Liam and Katie; and great-grandchildren Cameron, McKenna, Michael, Rowan and Avery (with a sixth on her way). A very heartfelt thanks to Dr. Urban, Tressa, Jennifer, Crystal, Bill, Melody, and Joyce. Berk lived a life built on kindness, integrity, faith, humility, courage and, above all else, love. His loss is sorely felt, but those who knew him are infinitely richer for the privilege. Donations to the Sudbury Food Bank or Infant Food Bank in lieu of flowers would be appreciated. “May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.“ We love you but let you go Dad. Be with Mom. Resting at the LOUGHEED FUNERAL HOME, 252 Regent St. at Hazel St. (Friends may call 2-9PM Friday with parish prayers at 3PM) Funeral Mass In Our Lady of Hope Church, 591 Brennan Rd., Sudbury Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 10 AM Cremation at the Parklawn Crematorium. To light a memorial candle or messages of condolences available on-line at www.lougheed.org