Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 26 February, 2016
MICHAEL COLLINS Knockateemore, Dungarvan A veil of sadness was cast over the local area and far beyond with the passing of Michael Collins at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on Tuesday, 9th February, surrounded by his loving family. Michael was born on February 26th, 1963. His late dad Martin was a Clare man and his mother Kathleen (née Cunningham) hailed from Clashmore. Michael was the middle child in a family of five and had two older sisters Marita and Mary (O’Halloran) and two younger brothers Jim and Ger. The Collins family set up a home in Knockateemore. Michael was brought up in a hardworking family where he learned the values of honesty, respect and fair play at a young age. Michael attended Abbeyside N.S. before crossing the bridge to the C.B.S. Secondary School. He attended W.I.T. before taking up a position with the E.S.B. Michael was a practical man, a clear thinker, logical and decisive. Working with the ESB suited him perfectly. He loved his job, the outdoor life, the banter and meeting people. In the ESB Michael met people who were to become lifelong friends. It was a great tribute to Michael to see the large numbers of staff who turned out to express their sympathy at his removal and funeral. It showed the high esteem in which he was held within the ESB. Michael married Vera (née Strain) in July 1988.They were a united and very happy couple. They built their home in Knockateemore. Eimear was born in 1991 followed by triplets Niamh, David and Evan in 1993. Michael was a real hands on dad – always ready to get stuck in. He was so happy when sitting around the kitchen table with his family. He enjoyed having the craic with them and their friends and gave the lads their love of sport. Michael was always encouraging and supportive of them both on and off the playing field. He set them on the right path and gave them a great start in life.They were blessed to have such a wonderful father. Abbeyside/Ballinacourty GAA was Michael’s second family. He served the club with distinction from a young age. At Intermediate level in both Hurling and Football he won County and Western medals. He played Minor Football for Waterford. He also took part in the National League for his County at Senior Hurling level. Michael was totally at home when at the pitch, training and coaching all age levels. He has had a really positive influence on so many people’s lives. At committee meetings many of his solid proposals can be witnessed all around the club grounds. During his brief illness Michael was cared for by the staff of WRH and the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Michael lay in repose at the Kiely Funeral Home on Thursday, 11th February, surrounded by family and friends. Vast numbers of people came to pay their respects and console the bereaved, a fitting testament to the esteem and respect in which Michael was held. His casket was draped in his beloved Abbeyside/Ballinacourty colours. Fr. N. Hassett, P.P., led the recitation of the Rosary. Removal took place on Friday morning, February 12th. The cortege walked from Dungarvan over the bridge to St. Augustine’s Church, Abbeyside. Guards of Honour were provided by the ESB, Abbeyside/Ballinacourty GAA, An Rinn Camogie Team and Abbeyside Ladies Football. Pallbearers were his sons David and Evan, brothers Jim and Ger, nephews and friends. Fr. N. Hassett, P.P.; Fr. M. Cooney, O.S.A.; Fr. G. Horan, O.S.A., and CIT Chaplin Fr. D. McAuliffe celebrated the Funeral Mass. Beautiful music was provided by Dina Walshe and neighbours John and Deirdre Collender. Family and friends shared in readings, prayers and gifts during Mass. The eulogy was read by Michael’s wife Vera and daughters Eimear and Niamh. Following Funeral Mass Michael was brought to St. Laurence’s Cemetery, Ballinroad, with the Abbeyside/Ballinacourty Club and the children of Garranbane NS providing Guards of Honour. Fr Hassett, P.P., led the graveside prayers. Ned Keane read a graveside oration outlining Michael’s life long association with the GAA and his complete dedication to his wife and family. The family would like to thank the huge numbers who came to express their sympathy and to the guards of honour from the ESB, Abbeyside/Ballinacourty GAA, An Rinn Camogie Team, Abbeyside Ladies Football and Garranbane NS. Michael Collins was one of nature’s true gentlemen. He was a wonderful dad, a loving son, a great brother, a terrific husband and a true friend. His can do attitude has inspired all those he came in contact with. We may not understand why Michael left this world so soon, but little by little we begin to remember not just that he died but that he lived his life to the full and would expect us to do the same as he often said “Get Up and Play On”. We extend our deepest sympathy to his loving wife Vera; daughters Eimear and Niamh; sons David and Evan; mother Kathleen; brothers Jim and Ger; sisters Marita and Mary; father-in-law Michael Strain; sisters-in-law Lucy Collins, Martina Collins, Mary Foley and Stella Strain; brother-in-law Jack O’Halloran; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
OBITUARY The Month’s Mind Mass for Michael will be celebrated on Sunday, 10th April, at 9:30 a.m. in Abbeyside Church. (Funeral arrangements by James Kiely & Sons, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
LAR MARKLEY Deerpark, Ballymacarbry Feelings of great sadness were expressed with the passing of Laurence Markley, Deerpark, Ballymacarbry, at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, after a relatively short illness which was borne with admiral courage and bravery. Lar was born and raised in Ballymacarbry to the late Mary Markley (nee Moroney) and Ned Markley. He went to school in Newtown. Later he worked with Tipperary County Council for a short time and then on to Waterford County Council where he began a long career in service to the community. In his spare time, he did some gardening in Whitechurch House. This was where he met his late beloved wife Madge Landers. They were married for 36 years and raised two sons and five daughters before Madge was taken from him to her eternal reward. After retiring from Waterford County Council after 40 years he took up farming. He had a great passion for sport and gardening. Four years after Madge’s passing Lar met and married Brenda Meehan. He was a family man and loved people calling and giving them an ole yarn or two. His younger brother Joe died tragically in a motorbike accident at the age of 21. His other brother Willie died a few years ago along with their only sister Kit who died in England. He will be sadly missed by his wife Brenda and her family; his brother Austin Byrne; his sons Joseph and Tony; his daughters Ann, Mai, Rita, Berine and Breda; his daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, his grandchildren and also his great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Fr. Desmond, Fr. Cullinan, Fr. Crowley; Sean Condon, Funeral Directors, Clonmel; the Doctors and Nurses and the local community who helped out in any way they could. Month’s Mind Mass for Lar will be celebrated on Saturday, 27th February, at 6.30 p.m. in Four-mile-water Church. (Funeral arrangements by Sean Condon, Funeral Directors, Clonmel).
SARAH GRIFFIN (nee Canning) High Road, Ballyduff Upper, Co. Waterford With feelings of sorrow and regret we record the passing of Sarah Griffin (nee Canning), High Road, Ballyduff Upper, Co.Waterford, in her 100th year, loving wife of the late William (Willie) Griffin, which sad event occurred on 14th February, 2016, peacefully at her home. Lying in repose at Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Home, Tallow, on Tuesday evening, where funeral prayers were recited by Abina Ahearne in the presence of her loving family, relatives and friends before removal took place to St. Michael’s Church, Ballyduff, where on arrival her remains were received and blessed by Rev. Fr. G. McNamara, P.P. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning by Rev. Fr. G. McNamara, P.P. Symbols representing her life were presented to the Altar by her grand-daughter Laura (a Rosary beads), daughters Kathleen (a history book) and Ann (Snowdrops), daughter-in-law Pat (a soup ladle). These were narrated by son Gerard. Readings were recited by Gerard. Prayers of the Faithful were read by grandson James. Dina Walshe provided a lovely selection of music and hymns throughout the Mass. As the Offertory Gifts were presented to the Altar by daughters Ann and Kathleen, the “Coolin” was played on the fiddle by Peter O’Connor, a favourite of Sarah’s. Following Communion, son Gerard delivered a fitting eulogy about his mother recalling life events and also acknowledging the support the family received from family and friends during the funeral. Following Funeral Mass burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. Rev. Fr. G. McNamara, P.P., officiated the graveside prayers where Sarah was laid to rest in the presence of her loving family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace. We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving daughters Ann and Kathleen; son Gerard; daughter-in-law Patricia; grandchildren James and Laura; brother-in-law Pa Griffin; sister-in-law Mary Canning; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
55 JOHN DUNFORD Lacken, Dungarvan The unexpected passing of John Dunford on Monday, 15th February, evoked profound feelings of sadness and regret in the local community and far beyond. A native of Lacken, John was born to Michael and Bridget Dunford and was aged 70 years. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Tony. Having completed his formal education at Garranbane National School and the Christian Brothers Secondary School, John subsequently took up a position at Waterford Co-Op Glanbia and was employed there for all of his working life. A diligent and popular employee who was held in high esteem by his colleagues, of whom huge numbers came to bid farewell at his funeral obsequies. In his younger years he participated in many varied fundraisers in aid of the Guide Dogs including several Maracycles from Dublin to Belfast, Donncha Ó Dúlaing walks, which on one occasion took John as far as The Holy Land. He was also a mainstay of The Pike Tug of War (The Geese). A man of deep Christian faith, John’s charitable fundraising was a huge part of his life and showed his virtue and goodness in action, living the Gospel message in word and deed. In retirement he developed a love of gardening, planting flowers and shrubs for his family and friends, far and wide. The essence of good company, John enjoyed a social drink and chat with his many loyal friends. Indeed, the Dunford family are very thankful to all the friends that John had and are especially grateful to those that he called to regularly. A humble, unassuming person John’s unexpected passing has come as a huge shock to his family, relatives, neighbours and friends who will sadly miss him, a void has been left that can never be filled. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. On Tuesday evening, 16th February, John lay in repose at the Kiely Funeral Home, Dungarvan, where many people came to pay their respects and console the bereaved.The Rosary was led by Fr. Michael Kennedy, P.P. The removal took place on Wednesday morning, 17th February, to St. Laurence’s Church for con-celebrated Requiem Mass in thanksgiving for John’s life. The chief celebrant was Fr. Michael Kennedy, P.P., assisted by Fr. Ned Hassett, P.P.; Fr. Matt Cooney, O.S.A., and Fr. John Harris, C.C. The Liturgy of the Word was shared with the large congregation by Linda Dunford and Mary Ferncombe (nieces). The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Deirdre O’Donoghue, Claire Cosgrave and Breda Kennedy (nieces) and James Dunford (grandnephew). The Offertory Gifts of Bread and Wine were presented at the Altar by Michael Dunford (brother) and Mary Dundon (sister). After Communion John’s niece Lorna Dundon read a moving Reflection. A farewell song, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” was beautifully sung by Ben Dunford (grandnephew). Afterwards John was shouldered to his place of rest in the adjoining cemetery where Fr. Kennedy, P.P., led the Rite of Committal and imparted the graveside blessing. May John rest in peace. We express our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his brothers Michael, Christy and Jim; sisters Mary and Margaret; brothers-in-law Ger Dundon and Martin Kennedy; sisters-in-law Biddy, Paula, Patricia and Breed; nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Month’s Mind Mass for John will be offered at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday, 20th March, in St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad. (Funeral arrangements by James Kiely & Sons, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
PADDY MURPHY Glenmore, Dungarvan With deep regret we record the passing of Paddy Murphy which sad event occurred on Saturday, 20th February, 2016. Removal was from his residence on Tuesday morning to St. Mary’s Parish Church. Following Funeral Mass on arrival, burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. To his partner Jackie; brothers Francie, Billy (USA) and James; sisters Dianne and Margaret; relatives and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy. Full obituary next issue. (Funeral arrangements by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
FRANCIE McGOVERN McCarthyville, Abbeyside
(Funeral arrangements by Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Directors, Cappoquin & Tallow).
GERTRUD KIENZLE The Comeraghs, Stradbally It is with profound sorrow we record the passing of Gertrud Kienzle which sad event occurred on Saturday, 20th February, 2016. Cremation took place on Wednesday at The Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Cork. To her family we extend our deepest sympathy. (Funeral arrangements by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
With sadness and regret we record the passing of Francie McGovern which sad event occurred on Friday, 19th February, 2016. Removal was from his residence on Monday morning to St. Augustine’s Church, Abbeyside, for Funeral Mass on arrival. Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Hassett, P.P. Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. To his wife Breda; sons John and Ger; daughter Mary; grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy. Full obituary next issue. (Funeral arrangements by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).