Teen crash victim John Keegan remembered at Orange funeral
A funeral has been held for John Keegan, 15, who was killed in a roadside crash near Orange two weeks ago while helping a couple aged in their 70s involved in an earlier accident.
NSW
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Xanthe Keegan still expects her scraggly-haired brother John to waltz through the front door with his trademark smile and give her a big hug.
Xanthe, 19, was one of the eulogists at Friday’s funeral for teenage Good Samaritan John Keegan, 15, killed in a roadside crash near Orange two weeks ago while assisting a couple aged in their 70s involved in an earlier crash.
“I will never forget the beautiful boy you were, and I am really proud of the person you were becoming,” Xanthe said.
“I don’t want to say goodbye because I know some day I will see you again, but until then I will always be your big sister and you will always be my little Johnny boy.”
The funeral was held at the Orange PCYC indoor basketball stadium, which was one of the few venues in Orange large enough to fit one mourner per four square metres in keeping with Covid restrictions that govern rural areas.
John was remembered as loveable mischief-maker with an infectious enthusiasm for life and blind devotion to his family, friends and rugby league teammates.
“John was the most caring, loving, funny and handsome young man with a zest for life that was second to none,” John’s uncle Ben Keegan told the funeral gathering.
“I truly believe we can all take a leaf out of John’s book of life: never be afraid to be yourself, try not to take yourself too seriously, be kind, be loyal, but most of all love your family and love your mates.
“John will always be remembered for bringing people together and making them smile. I have no doubt John will be resting easy knowing he was loved unconditionally by so many.”
John’s distraught sisters Xanthe, 19, Bonnie, 17, Eva, 15, Freya, 14, and younger brother Beau, 12, all wished they could tell John they loved him one final time.
With six Keegan children living under the one roof there were plenty of sibling spats but none of them could ever remember being truly upset with John the scallywag.
“I miss hearing your annoyingly loud music and yelling at you to turn it down only for you to turn it up,” Bonnie Keegan said.
“I miss trying to tame your wild hair before a party only for you to mess it up the second it looked half-decent.
“I wish told you how much I loved you while we had time.
“You lived a thousand lives in one and managed to touch the hearts of everyone who ever met you.
“Your love for people mirrors their love for you, making you one of the most loved people to walk this earth.”
Among the mourners were John’s schoolmates from James Sheahan Catholic High School and teammates from both the Orange CYMS Rugby League Club and Orange City Rugby Union Club.
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