MICHAEL KEENAN K.

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MICHAEL KEENAN K. St. J, R.N. 1931 - 2004 On Saturday, March 20, 2004, at St. Boniface Hospital, Michael Keenan, passed away at the age of 72 years. Born and raised in England as an orphan, Michael graduated in 1954 as a State Registered Nurse. He then completed Post Graduate training in Orthopedic Nursing at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, London. He immigrated to Canada in 1957 to practice as Head Nurse, Orthopedic Operating Rooms at the Winnipeg General Hospital (now Health Sciences Centre). Michael was a volunteer member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, an organization he joined as a youth in 1948 in Romford, Essex in England. In 1956 Michael was a volunteer Nursing Officer in St. John and assisted with the International Red Cross in the escort of refugees from Hungary during the uprising in Budapest against the Communists regime; He would remain connected with the work for St. John for over 50 years. In 1966 Michael accepted a position as a Director of Training for the St. John Ambulance Council for Manitoba. He worked both as a full time employee of St. John but still continued volunteer work for the Brigade for 25 years. Retiring in 1992 Michael was invested as a Knight of St John by the Governor General of Canada on behalf of her Majesty the Queen. He also was awarded Commemorative Medal of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of his community work, which included 20 years a member of the Speakers Bureau of the United Way of Winnipeg. Michael had no known relatives but his "Family" were all his friends and acquaintances not only from his work but through his many hobbies such as gardening, gourmet cooking, wine making and other organizations he had joined such as Toastmasters and in earlier years acting groups. A service, "Celebration of Life" will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 26, Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. Interment will follow at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens. If friends so wish, donations in memory of Michael may be made to: Margaret MacLaren Bursary Fund c/o Order of St John, 400 - 1906 City Park Dr., Ottawa, ON K1J 1A3. Friends are invited to sign a book of condolences at www.obitbulkloaduariestoday.com Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 23, 2004