Web site created by David Webb with support from my sisters Anne, Geraldine and Julia.
Keith Clement Irwin
Born 31st December 1942 Staines Middx.
Passed away 17th April 1991 Westminster Hospital London
Geraldine married Keith Clement Irwin in 1965, they had five children, sadly the first born died in infancy
Four more children followed, all now with children of their own, Keith died from cancer aged just 49 years of age. He was one of those people who made everyone make you feel if so he was your best friend, he just had that way about him and besides of course his family his was missed by many people.
Before starting his own business he had worked as a car mechanic at Jobs dairy in Hanworth, the building noted as it had a number of large model cows on the main roof. From there he worked for a garage Meadows motors owned by Johnny Meadows, here he refined his skills on cars.
After this he started up his own garage business in Hanworth, opposite the Bear Pub, now demolished, Keith repaired a wide range of vehicles and he was considered and was an excellent auto engineer, he spent many an hour helping me with my various cars and also gave me driving lessons in a dark blue Triumph Herald convertible for which I was always very grateful. He was a good friend as well as my brother in law, always willing to help and nothing ever seemed too much trouble, as I said he made everyone he was close to feel special, another best friend. Besides cars he turned his hand to many other things, plumbing, building a kitchen, conservatory, he had a knack for DIY and could turn his hand to almost anything. He had a great sense of humour, my greatest endearing and saddest memory is the two of preparing his house in Tachbrook road, Feltham, preparing it for the family to move into, knocking down walls, re structuring, we both worked long hours, we seemed to spent a lot of time laughing, the most silly of things kicked us both off into a fit of the giggles, something we were both prone to, however we worked long and hard and got the job done despite the continuous fits of laughter.
The second name Clement was taken from the maiden name of his mother, Peggy E Clement.
His father was Alfred S Irwin born 8th November 1914, Keiths grandfather was John Irwin and his grandmother Minnie Irwin nee Ballantine. Despite the potential Scottish heritage both Minnie and her father George were born in Bermondsey, as were the previous two generations of Ballantines.
Keith was taken far too soon by cancer, he fought hard to get past it, but it the end despite his resolve and inner strength it was too much for him.
The day before he died I was working in Brighton, I drove up to see him in hospital, he spent the visit, whilst obviously in great pain and discomfort, not talking about himself and his illness, self pity, but worried about how his wife, Geraldine and his four children, all of whom he was very close to, would cope.
He was a man who could turn his hand to almost anything, work around the house, he was an excellent car mechanic / engineer well respected by all who knew him.
Recall I had moved just North of Stoke on Trent, Keith and Geraldine came up with Gabrielle for a break and to see us.
He saw I was building a dog run, before I could say anything it was jacket off giving me a hand, he would not take no for an answer, that’s what he was like, just driven up and then helping.
We had quite a lot of fun whilst preparing “Kismet” when it was still empty getting it ready for the family to move in. We worked hard all day, had a few beers, slept on the floor ready to start the next day. He had a tireless energy about him, we worked hard working but laughed a lot as well, like many people I still miss him. He was a gentle person, a gentleman, with a lovely personality, his smile could light up a room.
His ashes are scattered in Radnor Gardens Twickenham along side our mum and dad.
Keith had four brothers and two sisters, see below. Also show re some of his aunts and uncles on his maternal side.
Tribute to him below.