Recent Deaths 20-09-08

MRS P CURRAN Carlanstown MRS Patricia Curran (47), Carlanstown, Kells, who died recently, was a member of the Tiernan family of Oristown, Kells. A loving and caring housewife, she is survived by her husband, Peter; daughters, Glenda, Joanne and Donna, grandson, Jamie, sons-in-law Paul and Vincent; sister, May; brothers, Andrew, Matt, David and Martin; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family. Mrs Curran was predeceased by her parents, Kitty and Andrew, and brother, Gerard. Her remains were removed from her residence to The Church of the Nativity, Kilbeg where the funeral mass was concelebrated by Fr Brendan Corrigan, Fr John Byrne, Fr John O"Brien and Fr Seamus Houlihan. Burial took place afterwards in Staholmog Cemetery. Mr R Goetze, Navan The death occurred at his home in early September of Mr Ron Goetze (69), Athlumney Village, Navan. A native of Loughrea, Co Galway, he was a member of staff at Tara Mines in Navan for many years. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Paula; son, Lloyd; son-in-law, Martin Kelly, Athlumney Village; daughter-in-law Michelle Comer, Ratoath; grandchildren, Max, Nathan, Jacob and Clancy, in addition to other relatives. His remains were removed to St Brendan"s Cathedral, Loughrea, where the funeral Mass was celebrated prior to burial in Loughrea Cemetery. Mrs C Nagle, Clonmellon & Wexford There was shock and sadness in Clonmellon and Wexford with the news of the death of Mrs Caitriona Nagle (49), Coill Aoibhinn, Wexford. A member of the Coyle family from Clonmellon, she joined the Bank of Ireland and worked in Mohill, Co Leitrim and Finglas, Dublin, where she met her husband, Seán. She went on to work in the Baltinglass and Carlow branches before Mr Nagle"s appointment as manager in Wexford. They left their Athy, Co Kildare, home of 20 years and the deceased went to work in Taghmon, Co Wexford, branch. A devoted wife and mother, she was a keen gardener and was a highly regarded work colleague. Deceased is survived by her husband, Seán; family, Sarah (17), Gary (15) and Jenny (14); brothers, Pat and Seamus; sisters, Maura and Susan; mother-in-law, Maureen; nephews, nieces and relatives. Fr Sean Cassidy, Kilmainhamwood & Dublin The funeral took place in Kilmainhamwood recently of one of the parish"s native sons, Fr Sean Cassidy, who served in a number of parishes in the Diocese of Dublin and was curate of Ayrfield in Raheny up to the time of illness taking hold two years ago. Fr Sean was one of two brothers who went to Dublin"s Clonliffe College to study for the priesthood, the other being Fr Seamus, currently chaplain to the Royal Meath Association in Dublin. Both men played on the Kilmainhamwood 1965 intermediate football championship winning team, of which Fr Sean was captain. As their mother was principal in Carrickaleck National School, the brothers went to school there prior to attending St Patrick"s Classical School in Navan, and then Clonliffe College. Fr Sean studied at both Maynooth and Clonliffe before being ordained in Clonliffe in 1962. He served as a chaplain to the Christian Brothers in Dún Laoghaire (1962-"63), and then as a priest in Clogher Road Parish (1963-"65), Clonskeagh Parish (1965-"67), Blessington (1967-"74), Clondalkin (1974-"80), Malahide (1980-"83), before being appointed curate in Dun Laoghaire. It was his transfer from Dún Laoghaire parish nine years ago which caused widespread spontaneous protests by the local community. Public protest meetings, petitions, extensive media coverage and even letters to the pope failed to influence a change of heart among the 'powers that be" in the Catholic Church. Local feelings were further fuelled by revelations that their priest had turned down promotion to parish priest on two occasions so that he could remain as a curate. He had served in Dún Laoghaire for 16 years. In the end, the protests ceased only after Fr Cassidy"s public intervention and his acceptance of the then archbishop"s decision. Fr Cassidy"s goodness and involvement in making things happen in the local community were major factors in making him so popular, according to parishioner Breasal ' Caollaí, in a tribute. He had revived the traditional Dún Laoghaire Horse Show, making it the social highlight of the year. Fr Cassidy was chairman of the show"s organising committee down through the years, and made his last public appearance on August Bank Holiday Monday at the annual event. While the side-shows at the horse show raised large amounts of money for charity, Fr Cassidy"s primary motivation was to help bring people together in community action. He was also one of the directors of the 'Dún Laoghaire 1500" in 1998 when the seaside town marked its first 1,500 years. Bicycle races, a maritime summer school, a flower show, establishment of the Holyhead-Dún Laoghaire Link organisation, art exhibitions and competitions, local community days, a snooker competition, and a host of other community-based activities were the order of the day. The seeds sown then by Fr Cassidy and his group are still bearing fruit 10 years on. Always on the side of the marginalised, the CARE organisation was yet another of his creations. Among CARE"s many achievements was feeding the poor in the basement of Monkstown Church of Ireland where one of Fr Cassidy"s closest friends, Rev Kevin Dalton, was rector. After Dún Laoghaire, the deceased served in the parish of Ayrfield, near Raheny in north Dublin, where he oversaw the refurbishment of the local church. In the 1960s, Fr Cassidy was responsible for the formation of the award-winning Sundrive Players amateur drama group. From then until his death, he was a key member, choosing plays, designing sets and always acting as stage manager. They will be playing in Dún Laoghaire"s Pavilion Theatre at the end of November and early December in honour of their founding father. While serving in Blessington, he won a Wicklow senior championship medal with the club in the parish of Kilbride, playing under an assumed name, and got a run with the Wicklow senior team. He was a staunch supporter of his native Meath, and also played rugby at one stage, flaunting a number of bans! Fr Cassidy passed away in Glenageary and requiem Masses took place in St Michael"s Church, Dun Laoghaire, and in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainhamwood, prior to burial in Kilmainhamwood Cemetery. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, officiated at the obsequies. Fr Cassidy was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Eileen, and sister, Maura Moore, Balbriggan. He is survived by his brother, Fr Seamus Cassidy; sisters, Eileen Price, Castletown, and Brid Giles, Clontarf, Dublin; brothers-in-law, Peter Price and Eanna Giles; nieces, nephews and other relatives. Mr M Cahill, Athboy The sudden death occurred on 19th August last of Mr Michael Cahill, Gillstown, Athboy, and formerly of Liscarton, Navan. Aged 55, Mr Cahill worked in the construction industry, Office of Public Works and landscaping business. He played gaelic football with Martry, Harps (the Martry-Bohermeen amalgamation) and Athboy, and was a great supporter of the Meath GAA team. Deceased is survived by his wife, Ellen; sons, Paul and Paddy; daughter-in-law, Louise; grandson, Thomas; mother, Marcella; brothers, John, Davy and Mark (Navan); sisters, Mary Markey and Vivienne Donnelly (Navan); brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; uncle, aunt, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Laurence"s Church, Athboy, to the adjoining cemetery.