Ted Keaveney

Our President, Ted Keaveney, died on 22nd April 2002, aged 78. Ted's interest and involvement with canals began in 1966 when he joined the newly established Peak Forest Canal Society which was campaigning for the restoration of the Ashton and Peak Forest canals to complete the Cheshire Ring. Within a year he was on the committee and became editor of their newsletter before becoming Secretary, a position he retained right through the successful recovery and re-opening of the canal.

In 1968, Ted joined the IWA and in 1973 was elected to Council. He was particularly successful as chairman of IWA's then Membership Committee, being largely responsible for IWA's major rise in membership through the late 1970s and 1980s. He remained on Council until retirement in 1985. Ted was well noted for his sound judgement and hard work.

By profession he was a school teacher and became the then youngest head teacher in Manchester when he took charge of Collyhurst School in 1957. He started boating in 1966 and for many years owned the Albert Watson narrow boat Mirfield. Ted and his wife Anne gave up boating in 1992 when Anne suffered ill health and she predeceased him in 1994.

He was always a good friend of the Macclesfield Canal and of our society. When our first President, Dr. David Owen, died in 1987 Ted was the obvious choice and provided us the opportunity to recognise his substantial contribution to the saving of our canals. He never missed an AGM which he enthusiastically chaired while trying always to set records in how fast the formalities could be executed! An undoubted local hero - he is sadly missed.

Link to Memorial event.

Picture courtesy of John Fletcher