OBITUARY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3246, 31 March 1943, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR WILLIAM HENRY KEENAN EARLY PIONEER OF THE BAY On Thursday, March 25, at Mercury Bay, the death occurred of Mr Henry William Keenan at the age of 87 years. The late Mr Keenan was born in London in the year 1856 and as a youth was apprenticed to the Royal Navy. After receiving considerable training at the Naval Base at Portsmouth, he embarked on H.M.S. Sapphire doing patrol duty at various bases and active service in the Pacific. After obtaining his discharge, he remained in New Zealand, following the calling, -of the timber industry, commencing at Whangapoua sawmill and later at various workings on the Coromandel Peninsular.

In the year 1888 he married, and soon after took up farming on the bank of the Whenuakite river, part of the Stewart’s estate now occupied by Mr W. J. Hare. Belling the property in 1896, he and his family moved to Gumtown (now known as Coroglen) where he farmed the Annondale Farm until his retirement in 1920.

Mr and Mrs Keenan then moved to Whitianga, Mercury Bay, where he remained until his death. The late Mr Keenan took ah active part in sport and social activities in his early life. He was also - .one of the first cream suppliers to the Mercury Bay Co-operative Dairy Company, being a member of the board of directors for many years.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Trooper John Henry Keenan, and three daughters, 'Mrs James Hamilton, of Whenuakite, Mrs E. Simms, of Papatoetoe, and Mrs D. Waring, of Morningside, Auckland. There fourteen . grandchildren, and one great grandchild. It was significant that the late Mr Keenan commenced his life near the sea, for in brilliant sunshine, on Friday, March 26, he was carried across the river to be buried in the Mercury (Bay cemetery which looks out over the blueness of sea, sky and islands. As the casket was gently ferried across the Whitianga river, followed in the wake, by a .launch bearing floral emblems, the sun shone more brilliantly upon the saphire sea as if in grand salute to a grand old gentleman of the sea.