For Brian
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest.*
He had no morning prayer or evensong.
He had no God, but I can only hope he's wrong.
I hope that they are laughing boisterously,
the newly gathered soul and Deity.
For he would laugh at this transcendent jest,
to know that men with good, clear consciences are
blessed.
And courteously he'd hold open the gate
for two fine ladies so they would not wait,
and greet them with his open friendly smile,
now free at last from knife and poison, pain and trial.
My compass, touchstone, tenor of my day,
how can it be that he has gone away?
It is my hope to meet him once again,
but it will surely take all that I have 'til then.
Yet, even if there may be nothing more,
and death be but the closing of the door,
no Great Embrace, nor punishment of Hell,
remember life much lived, and lived with honor well.
--written 1/29/10 by Ana Keveney
* the first 2 lines are from W.H. Auden's Funeral Blues
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest.*
He had no morning prayer or evensong.
He had no God, but I can only hope he's wrong.
I hope that they are laughing boisterously,
the newly gathered soul and Deity.
For he would laugh at this transcendent jest,
to know that men with good, clear consciences are
blessed.
And courteously he'd hold open the gate
for two fine ladies so they would not wait,
and greet them with his open friendly smile,
now free at last from knife and poison, pain and trial.
My compass, touchstone, tenor of my day,
how can it be that he has gone away?
It is my hope to meet him once again,
but it will surely take all that I have 'til then.
Yet, even if there may be nothing more,
and death be but the closing of the door,
no Great Embrace, nor punishment of Hell,
remember life much lived, and lived with honor well.
--written 1/29/10 by Ana Keveney
* the first 2 lines are from W.H. Auden's Funeral Blues
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
This page is dedicated to Brian Keveney, friend and SCA
& SFSNNJ member. His memory will live on in our
hearts. RIP Brian. Read his obituary here.
& SFSNNJ member. His memory will live on in our
hearts. RIP Brian. Read his obituary here.
It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that
our beloved Brian Keveney has lost his battle with
his recent illnesses. He left us late this afternoon
(Sunday, 1/24/10).
Ann-Marie
our beloved Brian Keveney has lost his battle with
his recent illnesses. He left us late this afternoon
(Sunday, 1/24/10).
Ann-Marie
|
I am very sorry to hear this. Brian
was a true gentleman. My
sympathies to Ana and his family.
Thom Purdy
was a true gentleman. My
sympathies to Ana and his family.
Thom Purdy
I only got to meet Brian a few times, but
enjoyed laughing and talking with him
very much. He will be missed and my
sympathy goes out to all those knew this
very special man.
BJ
enjoyed laughing and talking with him
very much. He will be missed and my
sympathy goes out to all those knew this
very special man.
BJ
Jim and I echo the thoughts of
everyone who has posted so far on
Our hearts go out to Ana & the
Keveney family.
Steve & Jim Spinosa
everyone who has posted so far on
Our hearts go out to Ana & the
Keveney family.
Steve & Jim Spinosa
My heart goes out to Ana and the rest of
their family in this difficult time. Brian was
one of a kind and will be missed. I have
a lot more to say, but, frankly, I am just
too stunned to set down my thoughts at
the moment.
Todd Ehrenfels
their family in this difficult time. Brian was
one of a kind and will be missed. I have
a lot more to say, but, frankly, I am just
too stunned to set down my thoughts at
the moment.
Todd Ehrenfels
My brother Bill was up from Virginia one weekend. Brian and Ana had
attended a showing of a classic film at the Lafayette in Suffern. We
had lunch at the pizzeria down the street. Both my brother and Brian
were in their 60s and remembered some of the classic comics of the
day. We met again at The Joker's Child in Fair Lawn and they
discussed comics some more as they looked through the store's
collection. My brother found him to be a real nice guy and very well
versed in the art of comic books. Brian will be remembered with great
fondness.
Chris Hasselkus
attended a showing of a classic film at the Lafayette in Suffern. We
had lunch at the pizzeria down the street. Both my brother and Brian
were in their 60s and remembered some of the classic comics of the
day. We met again at The Joker's Child in Fair Lawn and they
discussed comics some more as they looked through the store's
collection. My brother found him to be a real nice guy and very well
versed in the art of comic books. Brian will be remembered with great
fondness.
Chris Hasselkus
Reaction from Ana:
Hello, everyone,
I was amazed at, awed by, and so very grateful for
the outpouring of love for Brian on Saturday. It was
this wonderful thing that had me in my first decent
night's sleep in a week by the time it was over.
Thank you for being there, whether in person or in
spirit.
I love you all.
Ana
Hello, everyone,
I was amazed at, awed by, and so very grateful for
the outpouring of love for Brian on Saturday. It was
this wonderful thing that had me in my first decent
night's sleep in a week by the time it was over.
Thank you for being there, whether in person or in
spirit.
I love you all.
Ana
I have to admit to a bit of trepidation in writing this, as though putting these words out in the world will somehow
make the tragedy more real, but I recognize that as a form of cowardice and cannot help but think that my
friend Brian Keveney would laugh at me for it. Thus I sit here and think to myself, what can I say about Brian
that has not been said before?
To answer this question, I have to get in the way back machine and travel back to my first meeting with Brian. I
was running the Author Discussion Group, and he sat hesitantly down next to Aurelia Long, and we began our
discussion of Sarah Zettel's 'Kingdom of Cages'. He laughed heartily as Aurelia started teasing me about my
lack of handouts, and the next thing I knew we were chatting like old friends. He told me later that the main
reason he kept coming back to the Author Discussion, and later Tripping the Write Fantastic, was that I
encouraged people to speak out, go off topic, have fun, and relax (something that the previous moderator had
not really done). Brian encouraged me to be a better moderator by goading me to pick more esoteric authors
and topics (I think that one of his favorite meetings was our discussion of Xenophon).
Outside of the group, Brian was always quick with a joke, and was always willing to laugh with and at others. I
recall walking down the corridor in the Garden State Plaza after a nice dinner at Ruby Tuesday and discussing
my High School Football career (strong side tackle, offensive and defensive), at which Brian japed, "That's not
allowed, Todd, you're gay, you can't like football!" We all laughed merrily and discussed Manly Super Bowl
Parties, featuring Nachos, Beer, and Flatulence. He continued to tease me about the Super Bowl Wine &
Cheese party for many years, in spite of being invited to me super-manly Super Bowl. Heck, I'm still laughing
about that now!
On another occasion, I invited Brian and Ana over for the series premier of True Blood, and what a fun time
that was. We enjoyed a great meal with some excellent friends, and then watched the show. I recall some racy
scenes with a large wooden beam and some chains, which Brian decided he was going to set up in the Living
Room of their house in Hawthorne. The laughter and joy continued through the night as we drank deep of the
Sangre de Toro and reveled.
I recall a great evening of Brian complaining to the heavens that I was the worst moderator ever because I kept
introducing him to new books and authors that were absolutely fantastic. Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and
Robert Jordan were just a few of the authors we both enjoyed, and I count myself lucky that I could introduce
such a well read man to new books that he could truly enjoy!
Another greatly memorable night was New Year's Eve 2008, when we braved the snow and played Apples to
Apples until midnight! Brian was awaiting my chili with great anticipation, ready for a memorable meal, and a lot
of leftovers.
Perhaps all of my memories of Brian seem funny or irreverent, but that is exactly how I remember him. Brian
always knew how to have a good time, and I think that I can see his picture right there in the dictionary under
bon-vivant. What was great about Brian was that he always made you want to do your best, just so you could
match his energy and enjoyment. It was a bar that was rightly set high, and I hope that I can live my life a tenth
as wonderfully as he lived his. Can any of us measure up to Brian Keveney? I doubt it, but I am sure as heck
inspired to try. I doubt that he'd have it any other way.
Todd Ehrenfels
make the tragedy more real, but I recognize that as a form of cowardice and cannot help but think that my
friend Brian Keveney would laugh at me for it. Thus I sit here and think to myself, what can I say about Brian
that has not been said before?
To answer this question, I have to get in the way back machine and travel back to my first meeting with Brian. I
was running the Author Discussion Group, and he sat hesitantly down next to Aurelia Long, and we began our
discussion of Sarah Zettel's 'Kingdom of Cages'. He laughed heartily as Aurelia started teasing me about my
lack of handouts, and the next thing I knew we were chatting like old friends. He told me later that the main
reason he kept coming back to the Author Discussion, and later Tripping the Write Fantastic, was that I
encouraged people to speak out, go off topic, have fun, and relax (something that the previous moderator had
not really done). Brian encouraged me to be a better moderator by goading me to pick more esoteric authors
and topics (I think that one of his favorite meetings was our discussion of Xenophon).
Outside of the group, Brian was always quick with a joke, and was always willing to laugh with and at others. I
recall walking down the corridor in the Garden State Plaza after a nice dinner at Ruby Tuesday and discussing
my High School Football career (strong side tackle, offensive and defensive), at which Brian japed, "That's not
allowed, Todd, you're gay, you can't like football!" We all laughed merrily and discussed Manly Super Bowl
Parties, featuring Nachos, Beer, and Flatulence. He continued to tease me about the Super Bowl Wine &
Cheese party for many years, in spite of being invited to me super-manly Super Bowl. Heck, I'm still laughing
about that now!
On another occasion, I invited Brian and Ana over for the series premier of True Blood, and what a fun time
that was. We enjoyed a great meal with some excellent friends, and then watched the show. I recall some racy
scenes with a large wooden beam and some chains, which Brian decided he was going to set up in the Living
Room of their house in Hawthorne. The laughter and joy continued through the night as we drank deep of the
Sangre de Toro and reveled.
I recall a great evening of Brian complaining to the heavens that I was the worst moderator ever because I kept
introducing him to new books and authors that were absolutely fantastic. Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and
Robert Jordan were just a few of the authors we both enjoyed, and I count myself lucky that I could introduce
such a well read man to new books that he could truly enjoy!
Another greatly memorable night was New Year's Eve 2008, when we braved the snow and played Apples to
Apples until midnight! Brian was awaiting my chili with great anticipation, ready for a memorable meal, and a lot
of leftovers.
Perhaps all of my memories of Brian seem funny or irreverent, but that is exactly how I remember him. Brian
always knew how to have a good time, and I think that I can see his picture right there in the dictionary under
bon-vivant. What was great about Brian was that he always made you want to do your best, just so you could
match his energy and enjoyment. It was a bar that was rightly set high, and I hope that I can live my life a tenth
as wonderfully as he lived his. Can any of us measure up to Brian Keveney? I doubt it, but I am sure as heck
inspired to try. I doubt that he'd have it any other way.
Todd Ehrenfels
I have two memories of Brian that come to mind. One of
them is the time he and Ana were dressed up for the
King Arthur lecture given by Susan Longo. I wished I
had had fanfare music before I said "Announcing Master
Wilhelm & Mistress Ana".
The other was the online discussion over higher
math(which I expressed my dislike of) and Brian made
the arguement for it very well. Jim and I respected his
scientific/mathematical knowledge along with his sense
of humor. We will both miss this man very much.
Steve & Jim Spinosa
them is the time he and Ana were dressed up for the
King Arthur lecture given by Susan Longo. I wished I
had had fanfare music before I said "Announcing Master
Wilhelm & Mistress Ana".
The other was the online discussion over higher
math(which I expressed my dislike of) and Brian made
the arguement for it very well. Jim and I respected his
scientific/mathematical knowledge along with his sense
of humor. We will both miss this man very much.
Steve & Jim Spinosa
I have a funny memory of Brian. We all know how Brian and Ana were active in the
Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Brian and I had a bet going. If I lost I had to
clean his armor for life...of course, I lost. Brian and I laughed about it and joked.
I thought he was joking. Well, imagine my surprise when a month later Brian walks up
to me at a meeting, gives a deep courtly bow in his best Sir Wilhelm manner, and
states, "Your task at hand awaits you m'lady. The armor is in the trunketh of my
coach," then hands me a rag and polish!! I cracked up. After that his armor became a
running gag - he'd say things like, "wench, there's a spot on my armor!" "I think I see
some rust" and all sorts of fun armor jokes.
Brian had a wonderful, keen sense of humor. He was straight-forward, always willing to
lend a helping hand and put others before himself. He never complained. Even when
things were horrible, he never looked for pity or sympathy and felt there was always
someone worse off and you should be thankful for what you have. He never once
complained or whined about any of the maladies that struck him. He remained upbeat
and was still looking out for others.
That is a good man. That is man deserving of respect and honored memories.
Ann-Marie
Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Brian and I had a bet going. If I lost I had to
clean his armor for life...of course, I lost. Brian and I laughed about it and joked.
I thought he was joking. Well, imagine my surprise when a month later Brian walks up
to me at a meeting, gives a deep courtly bow in his best Sir Wilhelm manner, and
states, "Your task at hand awaits you m'lady. The armor is in the trunketh of my
coach," then hands me a rag and polish!! I cracked up. After that his armor became a
running gag - he'd say things like, "wench, there's a spot on my armor!" "I think I see
some rust" and all sorts of fun armor jokes.
Brian had a wonderful, keen sense of humor. He was straight-forward, always willing to
lend a helping hand and put others before himself. He never complained. Even when
things were horrible, he never looked for pity or sympathy and felt there was always
someone worse off and you should be thankful for what you have. He never once
complained or whined about any of the maladies that struck him. He remained upbeat
and was still looking out for others.
That is a good man. That is man deserving of respect and honored memories.
Ann-Marie
