Emu Park art community and former students mourn Brian Kehoe

A popular 92-year-old Central Qld man will be remembered not for his many extraordinary achievements despite battling a lifelong condition, but for the many lives he touched.

The community have gathered to pay their respects to former school principal and artist Brian Kehoe.

The community have gathered to pay their respects to former school principal and artist Brian Kehoe.

The well-respected artist and former school principal passed away at 92 years of age last week.

Mr Kehoe was a father to four children and grandfather to nine children and shared 65 years of his life with loving wife Cath Kehoe.

They married at the Catholic church in Mitchelton and purchased land at Samford in their early years together, before eventually moving up to Central Queensland.

Mrs Kehoe said Brian was an extraordinary man.

“I would describe him as being an open-minded, fair, just and understanding person… working with people was his gift,” she said.

“He always wanted to make the very best use of his life.”

She also spoke about his passion for creating artwork.

Brian Kehoe’s life has been remembered.

“Brian always continued to follow his passion for art… this is the aspect of his own education that has been the most challenging to make time for, but has delivered the greatest reward.”

Despite battling narcolepsy since his late teens, Brian was able to forge a successful career and maintain his creativity.

Mr Kehoe had his artwork exhibited in Sydney, Brisbane, Rockhampton and Yeppoon for many years along with running countless art classes and workshops.

He also worked on multiple commissions including a portrayal of 20 Central Queensland Catholic schools and colleges and depictions of various Queenslander homes for the Master Builders Association.

Former building contractor and art student Viv Deane said meeting Brian and learning from him was one of the greatest joys in his entire life.

“He was an excellent mentor and a gentleman, he was caring and understanding - he was one of a kind,” she said.

Brian Kehoe was an incredibly gifted artist whose artwork has been exhibited in Queensland and NSW.

Mr Deane also said Mr Kehoe’s involvement with the Emu Park Art Gallery and the people he taught in the area would leave a lasting legacy.

“He wasn’t an art snob - he embraced everybody… he put so much back into the community,” she said.

Brian was the school principal at North Rockhampton State High School for nearly a decade.

Former teacher Don Waterson said Mr Kehoe was well-respected within the teaching community at North Rockhampton State High School.

“The phrase that everyone uses [to describe Brian] is fair but firm… he was very much concerned with the welfare of students,” he said.

“He had a sense of authority about him… he was a strong religious man with tremendous faith.”

Brian will be remembered fondly and dearly missed by the people whose lives he impacted over his 92 years of life.

Originally published as Emu Park art community and former students mourn Brian Kehoe