Mum pays tribute to a ‘caring and loving’ son

May 28 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE heartbroken mum of a well-known Eddlewood man killed in a horror road smash this week paid tribute to her ‘caring and loving’ son.

Dad-of-one Michael McKeown , of William Drive, died after he lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra in Meikle Earnock Road on Saturday about 1.10am.

The 25-year-old joiner, known to family and friends as Mick, was on his way to a pal’s house when the car he was driving careered off the road and ploughed into a wall outside Eddlewood Bowling Club.

A man living nearby pulled him from the vehicle but Michael was already dead.

Michael’s body was then taken by ambulance to Hairmyres Hospital.

Dozens of floral tributes, Celtic flags and shirts along with Rangers flags and tops were pinned to the wall outside the bowling club.

The former Holy Cross and St Anne’s Primary pupil has one son, eight-year-old Michael Jnr, who is devastated by his father’s death.

Tragic Michael lived with his mum Katherine in William Drive.

He has two brothers Richard (28) and 24-year-old James.

Fighting back the tears, Katherine (61) told the Advertiser: “Police came to my door at 3.45am on Saturday and said that Michael was dead.

“I thought Michael couldn’t be dead. It was too final. I just couldn’t take it in.”

Before his fatal journey, Michael had been having a good time at a party with his friends at his brother Richard’s home in Eddlewood.

Katherine added: “I last spoke to Michael about 7pm that evening. He was running about the house and was in good spirits.

“He was a happy-go-lucky person and never had a care in the world.

“I named him well .. ‘Tricky Micky’.

“He had a great sense of humour and would always make you smile.

“Michael just loved people’s company and enjoying himself.

“Everyone in Eddlewood knows Michael and his brothers. He was a great son, as are all my boys.

“Michael Jnr is due to have his first communion next year. Michael was saving so that he could pay for his son’s holiday to Cyprus.

“Michael Jnr knows about what happened, and said that he would do anything to bring his dad back.

“Michael loved children and doted on his six-and-a- half-month old niece Carly.”

Michael became a joiner after he left school.

He served his apprenticeship with Avonhill Joiners in Hamilton’s Cadzow Estate.

His father, the late Councillor Richard McKeown, died 11 years ago.

Katherine added: “Michael came back to stay with me. His brothers are devastated as they are all very close. They stood up for one another.

“I will miss him so, he was caring towards me.”

Katherine, Richard and James would like to thank all family and friends in Eddlewood for their cards and support during this sad time.

A post-mortem will be carried out on Michael’s body tomorrow (Friday).

His funeral arrangements have still to be finalised.

But hundreds of people are expected to gather for his funeral next week at Our Lady and St Anne’s Church in Jack Street.

The service will be conducted by parish priest Right Rev. Father Thomas O’Hare.

Michael will be laid to rest at the Bent Cemetery beside his father.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash.

Anyone with information should contact constable David Bulloch at Motherwell Traffic Police on 01698 483124.

A full report on the accident will be sent to the procurator fiscal.