Rev William O'Keeffe SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
William
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
O'Keeffe
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Blackrock, Co Dublin
Country of Birth:
Ireland
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Brisbane QLD
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Nudgee, Brisbane QLD
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
O'Keeffe, William
Pastor; born Black Rock, Ireland, 24 December 1873; died Brisbane, Queensland, 13 March 1944, aged 70.
William O'Keeffe entered the Society at Tullamore, 7 September 1892, and after his juniorate at Milltown Park, 1894-95, studied philosophy at Jersey and Enghien, 1895-98. He taught the juniors mathematics and physics at Tullamore College, 1898-01, and mathematics at Clongowes, 1901-07. Theology followed at Milltown Park, 1907-10, and tertianship at Tronchiennes, 1910-11.
As a priest he taught mathematics and physics at Clongowes, 1911-16, as well as being spiritual father to the students and director of the BVM Sodality. He was sent to Australia in 1916, taught at Riverview, 1916-30, and directed the sodalities. He was also minister, 1920-30. He then became engaged in pastoral ministry, as superior and parish priest at Norwood, 1930-40, while also a consultor of the vice province, and later he performed similar duties at Toowong, 1940-44.
He seemed to be a man who was quietly and thoroughly competent in everything he did. His move from Riverview upset the rector, William Lockington.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)