Tributes to 'absolute diamond' Hillsborough campaigner and Liverpool FC fan

Sara Williams, daughter of Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams, with Tony O'Keefe
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


An "absolute diamond" Hillsborough campaigner and Liverpool FC fan has died. Tributes first emerged on social media on Sunday, January 26 for Anthony, known as Tony, O'Keefe.

Tony was an off duty London firefighter at the time of the Hillsborough disaster and had been in the West Stand of the ground, above the pens where the crush happened, on April 15, 1989.

The Liverpool FC fan rushed onto the pitch and helped with the rescue operation. He tried to resuscitate a number of fans and also helped fellow survivor Steve Hart carry 15-year-old Kevin Williams, the son of Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams, across the pitch as well as local poet and writer Dave Kirby. Tony also gave evidence at the Hillsborough inquest in 2014 wearing his London Fire Service uniform.

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Following the news of his death, many people have paid tribute to Tony including Sara Williams - the daughter of Anne and sister of Kevin - who described him as an "absolute rock" to her family.

In a post shared on her social media and with the ECHO, Sara said: "You meet lots of people in life that come and go. I first met Tony over 30 years ago. Tony along with Steve Hart tried to help Kev at Hillsborough and was an absolute rock to my mum and then me after she passed.

Hope for Hillsborough's Charlotte Hennessy with Ian Barnes,Tony O'Keefe & Phil Rowan
Hope for Hillsborough's Charlotte Hennessy with Ian Barnes,Tony O'Keefe & Phil Rowan

"Tony was an off-duty fireman on the day and did everything he could to help, he always promised my mum that if Kev had an inquest he would go in his fireman uniform and give evidence. He was a man of his word and did just that, and I know he got stick for it.

"[Our] mate Tony the fireman. Did you know he was a fireman? Sleep easy our absolute diamond of a friend. Our love is with you Maria, Dan, Dean and the grandchildren, love you all."

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The Anne Williams Golf Day also paid tribute to Tony, a spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of our friend Tony O'Keefe. Rest in peace Tony. YNWA."

Another person said on Twitter, formerly X: "Tony O’Keefe was an off duty fireman at Hillsborough on the pitch helping people, a staunch fighter for justice. He eventually got to give evidence at the inquest in his uniform. He didn’t ask for gongs off the establishment and his name isn’t widely known. It should be. RIP Tony."

Paying tribute, another person added: "There's not a lot I can say that hasn't already been said. Today the world lost the most incredible man. Not too many people can be a hero both on and off duty. Rest in peace Tony O'Keefe."