Recent deaths 19-12-09

The funeral Mass of the late Mr Fergus Sherlock, a well known Navan native tenor who later received an MBE for his professional work in London, will take place in Navan this coming Saturday morning. Aged 76, Mr Sherlock died in London on 3rd December last. He was a son of the late Andrew and Margaret Sherlock of Brews Hill, Navan, and both his father and late brother, Jack, held the position of chair of Navan Urban Council at various stages. He was the last surviving member of his generation of the Sherlock family. Mr Sherlock first came to prominence as a singer with St Mary's Choir in Navan, and performed in a number of concerts around the area. He came to the attention of the Waltons' sponsored music programme on RTE Radio, then Radio Éireann, and received airplay there, when his best known hit was 'I'll Remember You Love In My Prayers'. Deceased was invited on numerous occasions to perform for the Thomas Moore Society, a prestigious music society in the country at the time, which was always regarded as a great honour. He acted as a compere for many local events and later was well-known as a compere in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, and in Clontarf Castle, Dublin. The 'Curtain Up at 9' show, at Clerys in Dublin, which featured Butch Moore, Bridie Gallagher and Tom Dunphy, was another of his regular performances as compere. With Paddy McDermott of Commons Road, Navan, he formed a showband, Gene and the Gents, touring the country during the showband era, as well as the concert halls and Irish halls in Britain. He also managed The Midnighters, led by Denis Lambe, touring extensively in England and Northern Ireland. As a tenor, his performances were in the John McCormack style, and he performed many favourite ballads. He retired from singing about 30 years ago. He had also been resident singer with the Gallowglass Ceili band for some years. Before embarking on his entertainment career, Mr Sherlock worked in the former Lawlor's Bakery in Navan. In the 1960s, he emigrated to London where he joined the civil service, and he worked in the Parliamentary Offices at Westminster. It was for this work that he was awarded an MBE by the British Government in 1998, in recognition of his humanity and personality in his dealings with cabinet ministers over the years. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, relatives and friends. Mr Sherlock was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Paddy, Newbridge; Ettie (maternity nurse, Navan); Tommy (NT, Wilkinstown); Jack, Navan; Derry, London; Stephen, Canada; Bernadette, Navan; Mona Iceton, Tara; Eileen, England, and Br Ultan, De La Salle order. He was also a cousin of the late Meath and Cavan footballer, Victor Sherlock of Kingscourt. A funeral Mass and cremation has taken place in London, and Mr Sherlock's ashes will be buried in the family plot in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan, following 10am Mass on Saturday morning next, 19th December. _____________________________________________________________ Marcella Shaffrey, Navan The regretted death occurred on 22nd November last of Mrs Marcella (Cellie) Shaffrey, Commons, Navan, at her residence. A member of the Tobin family, Skryne, she was wife of the late Christopher Shaffrey, who died in 2000. Following an education in Skryne National School, and the Technical School, Navan, deceased worked with Meath County Council until her marriage. After some years, Mrs Shaffrey returned to work with the County Managers Association, and later with Joe Clarke, veterinary surgeon, Dunderry. She had an avid interest in farming and sport, and was a keen follower of the fortunes of the Meath football team, rarely missing a match in her younger days. She had a great interest in people, current affairs, and in later life, had great pride in her grandchildren. Mrs Shaffrey is survived by her son, James, Commons, Navan; daughters, Marie Logan, Virginia, and Geraldine Donnelly, Kilmessan; daughters-in-law, Linda, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchild, brother, sisters, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives; close friend, Helen; neighbours, and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to Boyerstown Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Patrick Clarke, Longwood Mr Patrick Clarke, Donore, Longwood, who passed away on 19th November last, was aged 89 and a native of Donore. He passed away at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim. Mr Clarke was a farmer and also worked with the Office of Public Works on the Boyne Drainage. He loved the land and farmed in Donore, as had his father and grandfather before him. He joined the Local Defence Force in Longwood in the 1940s and continued to serve in the FCA until he retired with the rank of lieutenant in the 7th Infantry Battalion D Company in 1975. Deceased was a member of many local organisations in Ballivor, including the horse show committee, community council and Irish Farmers' Association, as well as the parish pastoral and finance committee. He was a committed Pioneer in the Ballivor PTAA centre, and was holder of a gold pin and the Fr Cullen medal. Mr Clarke served on South Meath and Meath Diocesan PTAA committees. As a young man, and all his life, he proudly followed Meath football, and was honoured to serve as vice president of Ballivor GAA club. Deceased is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Karen Fox, Navan, Martina Cordial, Navan, Sandra Clarke, Donore, Jean Kearns, Sligo; son, Richard, Ballivor; sons-in-law, Brendan, Damien, and Niall; daughter-in-law, Sylvia; grandchildren, brother-in-law; sisters-in-law, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, to Ballivor Cemetery. A guard of honour was provided by the 7th Infantry D Company. A month's memory Mass will be held in St Columbanus Church on Saturday 26th December, at 7.30pm. _____________________________________________________________ Sabina McGurl, Kildalkey The death occurred on 15th September last of Mrs Sabina (Bina) M McGurl, Lime Grove, Clonmore, Kildalkey, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. Wife of the late Richard (Dick) McGurl, she was a member of the Gately family of Curaneena, Kilconnell, Co Galway, and was aged 74 years. Deceased, who was a primary school teacher, immersed herself and played an active role in the life of the local community for nearly 50 years and will be remembered for her infectious energy and enthusiasm. She had a great love of drama and music and was the driving force behind the 'Kildalkey Kicks' talent show and in later years, was a founder member of the Active Retirement Club. Mrs McGurl was a tireless fundraiser for parish causes, and ran regular coffee mornings and bring and buy sales for Meath Hospice. She is survived by her daughter, Raphaelle Ennis, Higginstown, Athboy; son-in-law, Niall Ennis; grandsons, Cormac and Oisin; sisters, Breda Derrane, Ballinasloe, Co Galway; in-laws, nephews, nieces, and a large circle of friends and neighbours. Mrs McGurl was predeceased by her husband, Richard, in November 2006, and her brother, Patrick Gately, England. The funeral took place from St Dympna's Church, Kildalkey, to St Dympna's Cemetery. The chief celebrant was Fr Colm Murtagh, PE, Kildalkey, assisted by Fr John Garvey, Adm, Ballinasloe; Fr Patrick O'Connor, PP, Athboy; and Fr John Manion, CC, Ballinasloe. _____________________________________________________________ Johnny Curran, Kilbeg The regretted death occurred peacefully on Wednesday 3rd December last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan of Mr Johnny Curran, Ardlonan, Carlanstown, in his 94th year. Mr Curran is survived by his wife, Bridie; daughter, Sheila; sons, John and Peter; son-in-law, Sé; daughter-in-law, Anne; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The funeral took place at the Church of the Nativity, Kilbeg with burial afterwards at St Michael's Cemetery, Staholmog. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Michael's Church on Sunday 27th December at 10 am. _____________________________________________________________ Brendan McEntaggart, Dunshaughlin The death occurred on 18th November last of Mr Brendan McEntaggart, The Villa, Dunshaughlin, at Park House Nursing Home, Kilcock. Aged 89, he was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, in May 2006. A farmer, deceased was a native of Dunshaughlin. He is survived by his family, Pauline, Mary, Matthew, Yvonne, Brendan and Joseph; son-in-law, Joe; daughter-in-law, Irene; grandchildren, Ciara, Paul, and Ryan, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Patrick and St Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, to Dunshaughlin Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place in Dunshaughlin Church on Friday, 18th December, at 8pm.