Cornelius Michael Keane January 25, 1944 – March 4, 2022 To describe Cornelius Michael Keane in short-form is an impossible task. The most unique person you have ever met, Cornelius’ life cannot be summarized in even the most basic terms by a minor account in a newspaper. If you did not know him and are still reading this obituary, however, you already share at least one thing in common with our beloved husband, father, and Pop-Pop – reading the obituaries, or “Irish Sporting Green” (as he called them), was a morning ritual. Cornelius embodied a host of contradictions, which is perhaps why he was so endlessly unpredictable and entertaining. He was a peace-and-love hippie who always found a way to get into a fight; a union steward with a master’s degree in psychology; a proud Irishman with a penchant for vodka; a sports fanatic with a knack for creating beautiful flower arrangements. Whatever it was, it would be hard to state for sure exactly how he would feel about anything before talking to him about it. But he was certainly opinionated about everything – and when you weren’t in the immediate crosshairs of these opinions, his personality was forever insightful – with an endless well of humor and love. A proud son of Irish immigrants John and Helen Keane, Cornelius was born and raised in San Francisco. His formative years were spent on the streets of Eureka Valley, where he learned the invaluable skills of mischief, loyalty, and self-defense – all traits that persisted through the rest of his life. An active athlete well into his adult years, Cornelius participated in various sports in Eureka Valley – where he developed deep friendships (and rivalries) that he maintained an encyclopedic knowledge of, and would tell countless stories about, to anyone who would listen. Cornelius attended Saint Ignatius High School and graduated from Mission High School. He parlayed his experiences there (and on the streets) into an audition that gained him admission to the San Francisco State University Theater Program. As a college student in San Francisco during the socially charged 1960s, Cornelius was both politically active and socially focused – and, under the tutelage of the late Paul Rebillot, was part of a theater family, The Gestalt Fool. Living in a home later purchased by Francis Ford Coppola, The Fool (as they refer to themselves) performed statewide and, most of all, formed individual bonds amongst members that persist to this day. Later moving into a home in Marin County, members of The Fool eventually traveled in different individual directions. Cornelius purchased their communal home in San Anselmo and remained in that house for the rest of his life. During a notable year-long trip through Europe in his early twenties, Cornelius reconnected with his family in Ireland. He would frequently regale his family and friends with tales of his journeys, as well as traditional Irish songs. Almost a half-century ago, Cornelius met the love of his life, Jody Prothro, in a chance encounter at San Francisco’s Cliff House. Enamored with her beauty, Cornelius was quick to take Jody’s hand along with her young son and together they created a wonderful, art-filled home that became a space of comfort and entertainment for their family and friends. Jody and Cornelius were married for 43 years before Cornelius’ recent death. He loved her more than you can imagine. Together they raised Jody’s kind and loving son, Tom; and two incredibly caring and strong daughters, Meagan and Devon. Later in life, Cornelius was active in the Native Sons of the Golden West, where he was a parlor president. He competed weekly in bocce and volunteered for elections. He was a longtime basketball coach and referee, a found-art aficionado, a landlord, a yarn-spinning bard, an armchair gambler, a vintage-tie-wearing-fleet-footed dancer – who felt the music even when his feet stopped working so well. The list goes on and on. Cornelius was predeceased by his sisters, Patricia and Helen Marie. He is survived by his wife, Jody; his brother, John; his son, Tom Doré; his daughters, Meagan and Devon; his sons-in-law Massimo Pacchione and Christopher Quiroga; and his grandchildren Jacob, Ryan, Conr¡, and Hawk. He will be missed by hundreds more. Raise a glass. Sl inte. Funeral Mass will occur on March 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Rita’s Catholic Church in Fairfax, CA. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the Native Sons scholarship fund, which Cornelius started: Native Sons Of The Golden West, Fairfax Parlor #307 Scholarship Fund, 135 Mitchell Dr., Fairfax, CA 94930.
Published by Marin Independent Journal on Mar. 13, 2022.
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