Mourners at the funeral of Keith Morrison – one of the four victims of last week’s tragic road collision – have heard him described as a young man who “took great joy in helping people out”.
Family and friends packed into Lislooney Presbyterian Church at noon today (Friday), where the 22-year-old was remembered with great affection and love.
Keith, a son of Alwyn and Lisa, and dear brother to Denise, Georgina, Emily and Melanie, lived at Breaghey Road in Tynan. He died alongside Phil Mitchell, Marina Crilly and Emma Mallon after the single vehicle crash on the Ballynahonemore Road during the early hours of Sunday morning.
The loss of the four young lives sent shockwaves across the entire community.
Today, the rural Co Armagh church waas filled to overflowing as the Rev Ivan Thompson officiated at his funeral service.
Keith’s stepmother, Christine Wright, spoke on behalf of the family when she recalled a young man who was so popular with his peers and who could not do enough to help others.
He was, said Christine, simply, ‘Our Keith’.
“Such a kind, caring, lovable, little rogue, the cheeky grin and the sparkle in his eyes,” she said. “He would have done anything to help anyone and took great joy in helping out people but don’t ask him during silage season!”
Keith would have turned 23 next month. He attended Grove Nursery School, before going on to Tandragee Primary, Drumsallan Primary and City of Armagh High School.
The family always knew where Keith’s heart lay.
“From a young, young age, he had a love for farming, driving everything that was not a book, or anything related to school,” recalled Christine. “He wasn’t a great lover of school, though somehow managed to come out of school with a lot of really good grades.
“Keith was a worker and he loved to work from no age. On school holidays, even some days that were not school holidays, he would have set off with his dad to work.
“Keith worked hard. He started working for Haffey’s Sports Ground Maintenance, cutting the grass, then work experience and then on to work there full time. He also worked on many different farms and then on to driving lorries.
“From no age he could be found helping his dad, making the hay, driving the tractor and often fixing cars, lorries and tractors. Many a time the two of them were in the garage till all hours putting in a clutch or tinkering at something. From when he was a young cub, where his dad was, Keith was. He went out on motor bike runs and lorry runs.
“Family and friends were very important to him as shown by the amount of people who have shown us support. He seemed to have touched their lives and it shows with the number of good close friends he had. He had many great, great friends and I know everyone will have some stories to tell about him. Some may not be suitable for the church!
“As with his sisters they all fought and fought! But well dare someone say a bad word against them!”
The loss of Keith has left a huge void in the lives of all who knew him but it is within the family circle where that loss will be felt most.
“We are all so proud of this young man and what he has accomplished in a short life,” added Christine. “We want this to be a celebration of a young life. We will miss him.
“So, as he would say, ‘See you soon. Silage season is starting!’.”
After the funeral service at Lislooney, Keith was laid to rest within the adjoining churchyard.
