Before the meal:

 Thank you to Mary Ann, Julie and Beth for arranging this party.
Beth especially, because we have been on a cruise for the past two weeks
while Beth has been taking care of all of the final details.

Thanks to all of you for coming - it was Mary Ann that insisted we have the party
- and as long as she didn't have to do all the work; it would be OK by me.

Before we say Grace I would like to take a moment to remember those that are not here.
The Keegan family's Mom and Dad Ray, Mary Ann's deceased husband.
Our Mom and Dad, Jean, Heather, and an entire generation of aunts and uncles that were so good to us.

Now we ask our God to bless the food we eat, the family we have and those we miss.

Bless us oh Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Desert Time:

 Mary Ann said I can use more then 25 words but not speak for 25 minutes!

Turning 80 is only another number in a list of numbers. Life has been good to me.

For some reason Clarence, Jimmy Stewart's guardian angel in 'It's a Wonderful Life' must have been assigned to me
because my guardian angel has had a full time job taking care of me during this Wonderful Life.

A number of years ago Jean and I were in Ireland with brother John and wife Jan.
We were in a lounge area in a B&B. As we talked John and I found out a lot of things about each other's life we didn't know.
This has continued as we ALL get together and recall events from the past.
We need to continue to gather together and share our wonderful life stories.

As attested to by all of the family being here today something was right in the way we were raised.

Years ago, when we lived in Hoffman Estates, I was asked to speak at the Father's Day Sunday Mass.
This was probably because we had children in almost every grade.

What I said then I say now.
I can't tell you what makes a good father;
all I know is that if I can do half as well as my father and see how well my brothers and sister have turned out
- I believe I will have done a good job, truly - Jean and I will have done a good job.

I should add that there were just a few grandchildren when Jean died
and thankfully for them and all that followed Mary Ann has taken over as the grandmother.

Raising children that are happy, loving parents, who love their children is the most important sign of success,
not money or job title or a big house or fancy car.

Love is the Goal and I pray that, in the years ahead,
when the next generation is standing here the room will again be filled with their generation
and the Love will continue.

Thank you for celebrating with Mary Ann and I.