Irish Cultural Centre Announce Sudden Death of David O'Keefe
Team express 'Unbearable sadness' over loss of very much loved manager
The team at the Irish Cultural Centre in Black's Road in Hammersmith have announced, 'with unbearable sadness' the sudden death of the centre's manager David O'Keefe.
Their announcement says: "It is with unbearable sadness that we have to tell you of the sudden death of our wonderful David on Saturday last.
" For those of you who have known him in the past 18 months, you will have regularly enjoyed his warmth, humour, kindness andoverwhelming professionalism and commitment to ICC.
" Born in Dublin, David was a Communications graduate from DCU and had an enormously successful career in British TV, working as series editor for Kilroy, (Piers) Morgan & Platell, the David Frost Show and many others.
" He always wanted to make a meaningful contribution to society and left TV to train as an acupuncturist, gaining a first in his year and going on to be a skilful, caring and talented practitioner in Chiswick.
" He combined this with a senior role in Youth Music– a charity dedicated to helping children and young people to develop personally and socially through music – no matter what social background or experience.
" Not content with all of that, David was also hugely committed to human rights and in particular those of the LGBT community. He was also a long-standing committed supporter of the Palestinian cause while also raising many thousands of pounds for the relief of Syrian children through unforgettable garden parties in his former home in Twickenham."
The team say David, who died at home on Saturday 16 November, was also focused on giving something back to Ireland and the ICC when he moved there in June 2018.
They say: " It allowed him to blend his creative, caring and musical/theatrical expertise into the role which he made his own. ICC now has the most extensive and diverse single programme of cultural events outside of Ireland.
" From the revamped foyer which was his pet project this year, to the new art gallery and rehearsal venue, his imprint was light but thoughtful and forward looking.
" As well as supporting the existing membership, he was keen to expand and bring more of the recent successful Irish Diaspora to ICC to appreciate the fantastic range of events and learning activities – as well as the craic we all enjoyed at the bar on many a night.
" Remembering David, it was his sense of fun and of the ridiculous; his warmth and his kindness that made him such an engaging and wonderful person. He was proud to be Irish and gay and was very much loved by a wide circle of friends, as well as being deeply cherished by his family.
" Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, agus suaimhneas síoraí.
May your Dreamcatcher watch over and protect you always."
ICC Team