Recent deaths 02-05-09

The regretted death occurred on 10th April last of Mr Paddy Reilly, St James"s Terrace, Athboy. Mr Reilly, who worked in construction, was aged 79. An accomplished hurler in his younger days, deceased won a junior championship medal with Athboy in 1955 and, in later years, umpired for a number of referees, maintaining a lifelong support for the GAA. He was also a keen pitch and putt player. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Patricia Fagan and Una Smith; son, Jimmy Reilly, extended family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral took place from St James"s Church to St James" Cemetery, Athboy. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Brigid McGrane, Kells Mrs Brigid McGrane, Castle Street, Kells, who died in late March, was aged 82 and wife of the late Michael McGrane, who predeceased her in 1988. A member of the Smith family of Garlow Cross, Navan, she passed away at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. Deceased is survived by her sons, Ronald, Adrian, Alan and Gerald; daughters, Eileen, Caroline, Sharon and Philomena; sister, Marcella; brother, Hubert; grandchildren, including golfer Damien McGrane; great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from St Colmcille"s Church, Kells, to St Mary"s Cemetery, Navan. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ James Curran, Stamullen The death recently occurred at the local St Clare"s Nursing Home of Mr James Curran, Broadleaf, Stamullen. He was aged 80. A native of Claremorris, Co Mayo, he moved to Meath almost 60 years ago, where he became a well-known farmer and horse-breeder as well as a passionate supporter of the local football club, St Patrick"s. His father, Ivan, was, in fact, born on the family farm at Edoxtown, Skryne, while James himself was born on another family farm at Ballygowan, near Claremorris. He attended St Jarlath"s College, Tuam, and played with Sean Purcell in the first Hogan Cup Final when St Jarlath"s lost by a point. He then went on to study agriculture at Athenry Agricultural College, along the way winning two Mayo Championship titles with the Mayo Abbey club in the 1940s. He moved afterwards to his father"s farm at Stamullen and began playing with the St Vincent"s club in Ardcath, winning an intermediate and senior championship with them. He was also a member of Mayo"s dual All-Ireland winning teams in 1950 and 1951. Mr Curran was also a noted horse-breeder and, with his late brother-in-law Pat Rooney, owned Paddy Bouler, which won the Galway Hurdle, among other big races like the Power"s Gold Cup. He also owned and bred Saddlestown Glen, which won races on the flat, over hurdles and steeplechases. He particularly encouraged his daughter, Mairead, in every way with her horse-riding. He was especially proud when, with the help of her husband, Kieran Ryan, Mairead became one of Europe"s leading cross-country riders, twice finishing sixth in the European Championships and representing Ireland at the 1982 Barcelona Olympics. Since his playing days ended, he was a constant supporter of St Patrick"s GFC, Stamullen, where he was a committee member and regularly a selector. He loved underage football and made hundreds of friends through this activity. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs Gretta Curran; son, Ivan; daughters, Mairead and Anne-Marie; brother, Martin; sisters, Mary, Ita, Davnet, Helen and Ann; son-in-law, Kieran; daughter-in-law, Frances; sisters-in-law, Una and Noreen, and grandchildren, Karena, Sarah, Shane, Ivan and James. The funeral took place from Stamullen Church to Moorechurch Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ John Bird, Longwood The death occurred in early April of the prominent cattle breeder, Mr John Bird of Ballyconnell, Longwood. Mr Bird, aged 72, died suddenly as his residence on 3rd April last. His passing leaves a void in the Boardsmill community of which he was an active member. Mr Bird was a lifelong member of the Ayreshire Cattle Society and for many years showed his pedigree herd at agricultural shows throughout the country. Deceased is survived by his wife, Veronica; sons, Jim, Jack and Charley; aunt, Nancy Stewart, Clonard; mother-in-law, Rosaleen Coloe, Clonard; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and other relatives. The funeral took place from Boardsmill Church to Clonee Cemetery. A month"s memory Mass will take place in Boardsmill Church on Friday 1st May at 8pm. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Patrick Donoghue, Trim Much sadness was occasioned by the passing of Mr Patrick Donoghue, Kilmurray, Trim, on 15th April last, at the age of 71. A farmer, Mr Donoghue was a son of the late Ann and Patrick Donoghue. He was outstanding hurler for the Boardsmill Hurling Club in the late 1950s and "60s and had many championship medals to his name. He also had a great love of farming, with a special interest and sharp eye for good livestock. Deceased is survived by his sisters, Mrs Margaret O"Brien, Brannoxtown, Rathmolyon, and Mrs Kathleen Gavigan, Castletown-Geoghegan, Co Westmeath, in addition to his nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from St Brigid"s Church, Boardsmill, to Drindaly Cemetery.