Recent deaths 04-04-09

The funeral took place in Skryne last week of Mr Jack Boland of the Hill of Tara, the last surviving member of his generation of one of Tara"s oldest families. Mr Boland, who was aged 84, died at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, having been in ill-health in recent years. He was one of the historic hill"s best-known figures, and always had a greeting for tourists, visitors and passers-by at his home on the Dunsany road. His father and mother, Philip and Esther (nee Durnin), had moved to this house from their previous home on the hill, beside what is now Maguire"s shop. He was the youngest of their family of nine. Mr Boland was very proud of the family"s Hill of Tara roots, and on the national feast day, St Patrick"s Day, the Irish flag always flew outside his home. Deceased attended Dunsany National School and was one of the school"s most senior citizens to attend the reunion there two years ago. He recalled, in his youth, playing hurling on the slopes of Tara with his neighbours, the Donnelly brothers, Pat and Tony. Mr Boland also recalled travelling to Croke Park on his bicycle to see matches, and was a lifelong follower of Meath GAA. Early working life was on the Dunsany Estate, and deceased then worked as a long-distance driver for Edward Dunne of Woodlawn, who was involved in transporting cattle. He then joined the workforce at Killeen Castle as a gardener, and remained with the Earl and Countess of Fingall when they sold Killeen, moving to Corballis and The Commons, where he looked after the gardens until the death of Lord Fingall and the departure of the Countess to her native Australia. Mr Boland continued to work with the Fingall"s successors at The Commons, Joe and Berna O"Sullivan, until his retirement. Deceased is survived by his wife, Bernie (nee O"Hare); family, Pat, Cavan; Leslie, Tara; Derek, Navan; Nicola, Robinstown, and Jackie, Tara; grandchildren, nephews, nieces and relatives. The funeral took place on Tuesday of last week from St Colmcille"s Church, Skryne, to the adjoining cemetery. Marie Clarke, Navan Widespread regret was occasioned by the death of Mrs Marie Clarke, Abbeygrove, Navan, on 12th March, at her residence. Aged 52, she was a member of the Blake family and was a facilitator with Accord, the marriage advice bureau. She was a lifelong member of Navan Pitch and Putt Club and held numerous positions in the club. Mrs Clarke was also very active in Navan parish as a minister of the eucharist, and reader of the liturgy. Deceased is survived by her husband, Philip; daughter, Ciara; son, John; mother, Chrissie; sister, Joan; brother, John; mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Mary"s Church, Navan, to St Mary"s Cemetery. Tommy O"Connor, Cushinstown Widespread sadness was occasioned by the death of Mr Tommy O"Connor, Cushinstown, Garristown, on 21st March. The deceased, who was aged 86, was very well-known throughout the east Meath and north County Dublin areas through his work for many years as an electrician. After he retired, he became a keen gardener and was a supplier of flowers and bedding plants to many people in the area. As a sportsman in his younger days, his interests included athletics, cycling, hurling and football. He was a founder member and honorary secretary of The Young Irelands GAA club which won the Meath Junior Football Championship in 1947. An avid follower of the Meath senior football team, he attended his first All-Ireland Final in 1939 when Meath lost out to Kerry and was a familiar figure at almost every game since then. His last trip to Croke Park was the August 2007 All-Ireland semi-final when Meath were beaten by Cork. Mr O"Connor was a founder member and, at the time of his death, a trustee of Cushinstown Athletic Club. He was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Absence Association and always wore his Pioneer pin with pride. Deceased was predeceased by his son, Brian, in 2006, and is survived by his wife, Berlo; sons, Frankie, Brendan, Richard and Gerard; daughters, Rosleen, Kathleen, Pauline and Alice; daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and his 21 grandchildren. The funeral took place from St Ciaran"s Church, Duleek, to Crossmacole Cemetery. Fr Phil Gaffney, Curraha/Ardcath; Fr Derek Darby, Ashbourne, and Fr Joe Gleeson, Skryne, concelebrated the funeral Mass. Patrick Bagnall, Ballivor The regretted death occurred on 8th March last of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Bagnall, Carnisle, Ballivor, at Dublin"s Mater Private Hospital. On 29th October 1926, Mr Bagnall was born to the late George and Margaret at what became known as Bagnall"s Cross at Moyfeigher. He followed in his father"s footsteps, farming just a mile away from his home place, at Carnisle. In Ballivor Post Office, deceased met the postmistress, Joan Brady from Cavan. The first date offered and accepted was a trip to a Meath v Cavan football match, and Joan became his wife on 23rd September 1959. They became a winning team and raised a happy family of nine, just like their own parents who reared large families, 10 in his, 11 in hers. On Sundays, deceased travelled to Mass in one of the churches in the area, Ballivor, Kildalkey, Trim or Boardsmill. Then, Mr Bagnall would take the road to Croke Park or other venues to see his favourite teams. He had played hurling for Meath and was a lifelong supporter of all the football teams, especially his beloved Meath. He loved sport and all the camaraderie of the post-match celebrations, and loved telling and hearing peoples stories, over a pint of Guinness. One of his lines was: 'The main thing is not to worry about minor things in life.' He always moved swiftly to focus on major ones. Mr Bagnall enjoyed reading the Meath Chronicle, the Farmers" Journal and daily newspaper so that he could be briefed in the news, ready to converse with all. He greeted everyone in the most memorable manner: warm look, hearty handshake, the kindest of words. He was a great respecter of time, always punctual, and understood the fleetingness of life, cherishing every moment before it became a memory. Mr Bagnall would have loved to be able to celebrate, and give his little speech at future christenings and weddings, particularly his 50th wedding anniversary due in September. The removal of his remains took place from his home to the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, where the homily by Fr Oliver Devine, PP, was penned by author John Quinn. Mr Bagnall"s son, Anthony, read John Montague"s poem 'A Bright Day", and daughter Colette read from John O"Donohue"s 'Book of Blessings". Grandchildren Laura and Sarah are members of the Boardsmill Choir that provided the beautiful singing. The funeral took place to St Columbanus" Cemetery. Mr Bagnall is survived by his wife, Joan; sons, Padraic, Brendan, Niall and Anthony; daughters, Yvonne, Mary, Colette, Grainne and Sinead; brothers, Sean and Noel; sisters, Betty and Helen; in-laws, grandchildren and other relatives. There are many stories about Mr Bagnall"s life and those he met along the way and his family would love to collect them in his memory for future generations. They ask people to write their favourite story about him, and leave it into Ballivor Post Office or email it to brendan.bagnall@gmail.com A month"s memory Mass will be held in Ballivor Church on Sunday 26th April.