Family, friends’ farewell to Dean

MICHELLE HERBISON
MORE than 300 people gathered in Drysdale on Wednesday to farewell a 33-year-old Geelong man who died in Thailand earlier this month.
Dean McKeon’s family, friends and workmates packed Drysdale Community School Hall for a service of nearly two hours.
Mr McKeon was on holidays in Patong, Thailand, with a group of friends when he fell off a hotel balcony to his death while apparently sleepwalking on October 8.
“We want Dean’s family to know in the days before he passed he was happy,” a tearful friend from the group told mourners.
Mr McKeon’s uncle, Ross Deeath, removed his jacket to begin a memorable speech, urging other men to do the same.
“I reckon Deano would’ve been sitting here in a T-shirt and boardies,” he said.
Mr Deeath described Mr McKeon as a “hippie born 30 years too late” who loved music and dancing barefoot.
“Family was everything to Dean. He was his mum’s flowerchild and his dad’s mate.”
Childhood friend Blair Anson described Mr McKeon as “deep, loyal and friendly” as well as a party person.
“He had an aura about him that just made people want to be friends with him – and he always had a way with the ladies.
“It’s hard because I should really be talking at his wedding or bachelor party.” Mr Anson said he and Mr McKeon were “more into throwing pinecones on roofs and wrestling” than typical sports like football while together at Drysdale Primary School.
They then went to Newcomb Secondary College together.
Mr Anson said in recent years the group reunited at birthdays and music festivals.
“We’d always take off like we’d never been apart.”
Mr McKeon’s boss at Etihad Stadium, Paul Brown, called him an honest, reliable team player who loved his job.
“He was more of a great mate than just a work colleague,” Mr Brown said.
“He never shied from a challenge and he’d always have your back. He was a man of few words but always interesting to talk to.
“And he had ever-changing facial hair.”
Mr Brown said McKeon enjoyed working as Etihad’s facilities coordinator for shows including U2, AC/DC, Green Day, Pearl Jam, and New Year’s Eve functions.
“But he never quite appreciated George Michael or Andre Rieu,” he joked.
Friends also read poems and McKeon’s immediate family lit candles for remembrance.
A DVD presentation followed the speeches, showing photos from McKeon’s life including his last days in Thailand.
An on-stage display included a guitar, a djembe drum and a hat.
The service included songs by Muse, Jeff Buckley, Frank Turner, Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam.