Msgr. Richard O’Keeffe remembered as a passionate man

The Yuma community is mourning the loss of Monsignor Richard O’Keeffe.

The monsignor served the Yuma Catholic community for more than 60 years.

Though Monsignor O’Keeffe was the retired pastor of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, many in the community remember him for his support of Yuma Catholic High School.

As one of the first founding trustees, Monsignor O’Keeffe is well known for playing an instrumental role in establishing the first Catholic high school in Yuma, in 1998.

Father John Friel, Pastor of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, knew the monsignor for over 45 years, and remembers him as passionate about his beliefs and also sports; especially Yuma Catholic’s football team.

“He was pretty passionate on the sidelines, he was a sports fan…he didn’t like to lose,” said Father Friel.

Father Friel hopes the community will have fond memories of Monsignor O’Keeffe, saying, “He was a great man, a good priest, a very passionate person. And we can all pray that he rests in peace.”

According to Catholic Community Services, Monsignor Okeefe, officiated thousands of weddings, baptisms and many other ceremonies for Catholics here in Yuma.

He passed away on Thursday.

No word yet on funeral service arrangements.