W.Bro. Dennis Keenan

20th July 1931 to 15th February 2014

 Member of Vectis Fairway Lodge 8923 and Vectensian Lodge 7852

Dennis was born on the 20th July 1931. He was the eldest of 5 Children and grew up on a farm in Kingwood , Surrey. After leaving school his first job was a trainee signal man for British Rail.

Dennis enlisted in the Army and was a soldier in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was deployed to the Suez Crisis. Dennis was wounded during this conflict. As a consequence of his injuries he retired from the army..

Dennis then signed up for the Merchant Navy as an engineer. He spent several years sailing across many oceans visiting many countries and had many a story tell about his adventures.

Dennis then met the Love of his life Mary. They were married on the 11th February 1967 and set up home in Croydon.

Later Dennis and Mary moved to Banstead. Dennis took up the position as a Green Belt Ranger for Banstead Council; he quickly progressed to Team Manager. Dennis and Mary spent many happy years in Banstead. They had a great love of animals, keeping, caring and fostering various pets; goats, rabbits, cats and they had a special fondness for dogs taking in and adopting a variety of strays.

Dennis & Mary enjoyed entertaining and organising many social gatherings with their friends.

Being an engineer, in his spare time he restored a classic London cab and sprayed it pink with a coat of arms painted on the door "although we are not sure what they were"

Dennis and Mary retired to the Isle of Wight. The first year they spent living in rented accommodation while Dennis refurbished the bungalow that they purchased at Pondwell Close. Dennis carried out the majority of the renovation on his own. As being a perfectionist he wanted everything to be carried out to his exacting standard.

Dennis and Mary never liked to think of people spending   Christmas day alone so they would invite them into their home for dinner.

Dennis was a conscientious member of the Ancient Order of Buffalos.

He joined Freemasonry and was initiated into the Vectis Fairway Lodge in 1999.

During 2000 Dennis received one of the highest honours any citizen of our country would be delighted to receive. He was given the freedom of London for his charity work. This consisted of his voluntary work working with and raising funds for orphans and underprivileged children. This wonderful and well deserved honour was presented to Dennis and Mary by Sir Clive Martin the Lord Mayor of London.

Dennis progressed to the Master of Vectis Fairway Lodge in 2006 and then went on to receive Provincial Honours[IB1] [IB2] [IB3] [IB4] [IB5] [IB6]  in 2011. Also in 2011 he became a joining member of Vectensian Lodge Ryde.  He was Exalted into Albany Chapter ---------- Not sure of the Date--

He spent every day, whatever the weather on the beaches walking his dogs at the same time learning his ritual.

Dennis was kind and loving husband to Mary, an inspiration a great and loyal friend to us all he was a true and loyal Mason

 God Bless Dennis.

Also sadly, Mary his wife, passed away on the 24th of May 2014.