Recent deaths 17-07-10

The Italian war hero and former diplomat, Amedeo Guillet, who retired to live in Kentstown over three decades ago, died in Rome on 16th June last. He was aged 101 and lived in Kentstown until 2008, when he returned to Rome. Amedeo, as he was known, was born in Piacenza on 7th February 1909, the youngest of three children of Gen Alfredo Guillet and Maria Paggiarino. Since childhood he showed a special love for horses and music - his father put him on horseback when he was four, and from then onwards he could not do without horses. He turned into a well-accomplished cavalry officer, trained in the Caprilli 'forward seat' method at Pinerolo Military School of Cavalry. He was selected as a member of the Italian show-jumping team for 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. However, in view of a war in Ethiopia, he renounced that exciting sports commitment to go and serve his country as lieutenant in Abyssinia, under the command of fierce, ingenious, exacting Major Antonio Ajmone Cat. As soon as he was posted to Eritrea as a commander of a squadron of 'Spahis di Lybia' (a unit of irregular Arab cavalry), he stored the names of his 80 men and respective horses in his formidable memory; his next step - much to the others' astonishment - was to join the children's school in the open air to learn the Arabic language, to him a vital link with his own men. His baptism of fire occurred on Christmas Eve, 1935, in the crucial battle of SelaclacÀ, where he was seriously injured at his left hand. His bravery and exemplary behaviour in combat won him a Bronze Medal for Valour, the first of a prestigious list of honours he would collect in war (four more wounds, in four more campaigns) and also in peace, in his - almost legendary - military career, brought to a conclusion in 1946. In 1950, Amedeo was posted to the Italian Embassy in Cairo as Secretary, with the additional role of Consul for Saudi Arabia; in 1956 he took charge of the first Italian Legation in Yemen; in 1962 he was promoted Ambassador and was posted to Amman, then to Rabat (1968), and finally to New Delhi (1971). In his intriguing diplomatic career, which ended in 1975, he also took part in two UN sessions, New York. His achievements as a diplomat are on record in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs archives and still echo in the rooms of the diplomatic seats he had occupied, but, beyond and above all that, his mark remains in the mind and heart of any person who had the privilege to meet him, from heads of states to butlers, from prominent personalities to obscure ordinary people. On his retirement in 1975, Amedeo Guillet and his wife, Bice, who passed away in 1991, flew directly from India to Ireland, where they had already bought and refurbished an old rectory, Kentstown Glebe. There they wanted to spend the rest of their years enjoying the natural setting and devoting themselves to their hobbies: reading, gardening, playing the violin for Bice; horse-riding, fox hunting, reading, painting, playing the piano for Amedeo. With their charming aristocratic simplicity, respect and genuine interest in fellow creatures, they soon created a bond of friendship with their neighbours and with other Irish people of all walks of life - the conspicuous participation in Amedeo's centenary celebration in Rome and in Dublin, last year, is but another witness of that deep bond. In late 2008, Amedeo's health deteriorated, slowly but steadily. Like a commander on the eve of the battle, he carefully planned his action: it was time to say farewell to his beloved Ireland, which had surpassed any expectation as the ideal place for the warrior's rest; it was time to return to Italy and, for the last span of his own life, to stay near his two sons and daughter-in-law, living in Rome. At that news, acquaintances and friends from all over arrived at Kentstown Glebe to bid farewell to him, who returned their affectionate words with a warm thankful embrace and a telling smile. On the eve of his departure, Tim, Delight and Tajika, his three horses were brought, in full harness, to the front of the house: their eyes met with those of their master looking pensively through the window, prevented from going out because of the bad weather. On the morning of his departure, before the arrival of the car bound to Dublin Airport, he insisted on kneeling to kiss the ground of Kentstown Glebe. Amedeo Guillet died on 16th June. According to his will, his body was cremated together with the main and hoof of Nasr, the stallion of the legendary Hamdani race he had received as a token of grateful affection from the Imam of Yemen at the end of his diplomatic mandate in that country. A private ceremony took place at Prima Porta Cemetery, Rome, on 18th June. There followed a solemn ceremony, with the Cavalry Guard of Honour, in the Cathedral of Capua, presided by the Archbishop of Capua, in the presence of civilian and military authorities. Amedeo, who had received the Freedom of the City in 2000, was commemorated with incisive words, which highlighted his consistent, unwavering search for justice, peace and intercultural dialogue, his deep insight and pietas. At the end of the religious ceremony, the Cavalry Guard of Honour carried the urn containing Amedeo's ashes to the funeral car waiting outside. The cortege, escorted by Capua City Guards, reached the cemetery, where, his ashes were laid in Bice's tomb in the family vault. ________________________________________________ Michael Coogan, Dunderry and Trim Large crowds attended the removal and funeral over the weekend of one of south Meath's best known and most successful businessmen, Trim butcher Michael Coogan. Mr Coogan passed away on Wednesday last, aged 65, having taken ill in the previous week. A native of Tullaghanstown in Dunderry parish, deceased was eldest son of the family of nine of the late Jimmy and Molly Coogan, and began his working career with the late Trim butcher, Jimmy Reynolds, before going to work in Leixlip. He cycled from Leixlip to the family home at weekends. Later, while working with Michael Tuite at the Bullring, Drogheda, he bought a car along with colleague Dermot Maher, and they shared the expense of running the car between them, using it for travelling into dances in Dublin amongst other things. In the mid-1960s, Mr Coogan decided to go to Canada, intending to go to Hamilton, but getting as far as Toronto where he met with Dermot Maher's brother, Joey, a legendary handballer. Here, deceased worked in the butchery department of the large supermarket chain, Steinbergs, and also on the building of underground tunnels and subways using the compressed air method. While in Toronto he met his wife, Kerry native Ann. They wed in 1968 and returned to Ireland in 1971, originally living at Tullaghanstown before moving to Newtownmoynagh, Trim, in the mid 1980s. Mr Coogan's first butchers shop in Trim was on High Street, in a premises rented from Maisie Keogh, and when a premises came up for sale on the junction of High Street and Haggard Street, he purchased it. It was a residential premises which he converted into a shop. Later in the 1970s, he acquired the former Hatton's Butchers premises on Emmet Street. Deceased always bought and reared his own stock, maintaining his own abattoirs. With the shops trading strongly in 1992, they were set out as Mr Coogan wanted to concentrate more on his wholesale business, supplying local butchers and meat processors. This enterprise also became very successful and family members continue to run both the shops and the wholesale business. In recent weeks, they had taken over the running of the High Street premises again, and Mr Coogan was very enthusiastic about this. His interest in breeding bloodstock also led to success, but he always preferred the breeding aspect of this rather than the racing aspect. He had always kept a brood mare, and it was an interest inherited from his late father, who had worked with Joe Clarke. Horses he enjoyed success with included Chapel Crescent, which saw him in the winners' enclosure at the Curragh with the Aga Khan and Coolmore, an occasion which was often recounted. He also enjoyed success at Galway. Mr Coogan was involved in the Dunderry Fair in his native village. He is remembered as a generous man whose door was always open to anybody seeking help or advice, and was also a popular personality in Trim and further afield. His venture into the publicans' trade in 2002 when he bought a licensed premises in Kildalkey also proved successful over the two years of his ownership. Mr Coogan is survived by his wife, Ann; family Michael, Tracy, Danny, Tara and Declan; grandchildren Soricha and Allanah; son-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers, Patsy, James, Johnny, Tony, Gerry and Christy; sisters, Mary and Betty; in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. His funeral took place on Sunday from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to Dunderry Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ John (Johnny) Coldrick, Trim The regretted death occurred on 17th June last of Mr John (Johnny) Coldrick, Summerhill Road, Trim, who passed away at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, after a long illness. A native of Trim, Mr Coldrick (69) was a son of the late John and Elizabeth Coldrick. He was a carpenter by trade and had a varied career, with the last years of his working life spent as caretaker at St Mary's Primary School, Trim. Mr Coldrick was a member of Trim Pantomime Society, Trim Musical Society and Trim Drama Group. Through his working life and many interests, he made lasting and valued friendships and was very well known in the wider community. St Patrick's Choir, Trim, of which Mr Coldrick was a member, was very much part of his life. At his Funeral Mass, the choir, under the direction of Mr Coldrick's two great friends, Miriam and Pauline, gave a magnificant performance which was a special and moving experience for his family and a fitting tribute. Deceased is survived by his brother Willie Coldrick, Dunmoe, Navan; sisters Marie Farrelly, Bath, Kathleen Carter, Kent, Bonnie Keating, Drumree, Anne Brady, Cloneylogan, Kildalkey; sister-in-law Linda Coldrick, brothers-in-law Eugene Farrelly, Ernest Carter, Noel Keating, Tony Brady; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. His remains were removed to St Patrick's Church, Trim, and burial took place following Funeral Mass to St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. __________________________________________________________ Sheila Maguire, Kilmessan There was widespread sadness following the death on 26th June last of Mrs Sheila Maguire, Swainstown, Dunsany, at Roselodge Nursing Home, Killucan. Aged 75, Mrs Maguire was a member of the Clynch family of Belper, Dunsany. She was predeceased by her husband, Dessie, in 1999; son, Cormac, in 1978 and daughter, Caroline O'Toole, Trim, in 2004. Deceased is survived by her family, Christo, Denmark; Desmond, Kilmessan; Adrienne Togher, Skryne; Arlene Flynn, Dunsany; Fergus Maguire, Kilmessan; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; sister, Josie Doyle, Rathfeigh; brother Donie, Dunsany; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kilmessan, to the adjoining cemetery. A month's memory Mass takes place on Sunday 25th July at 11am in Kilmessan. _____________________________________________________________ Frank Keoghan, Navan The regretted death occurred on 26th June last of Mr Frank Keoghan, Elmview Close, Clogherboy Park, Navan. He was aged 51 and was a native of Leitrim. Deceased worked in the construction industry. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; daughter, Janie; granddaughter, Yazmin; mother, Agnes Keoghan; brothers, Hubert; Sean, Pat, Denis and Des; sisters, Mary, Eileen and Martina; nephews, nieces; uncle, Hubert; brothers- and sisters-in-law; cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church to St Finian's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Bernard Lynam, Dublin The death occurred on 16th June last of Mr Bernard (Benny) Lynam, Dundrum, Dublin, and late of Demailstown, Wilkinstown. Mr Lynam is survived by his wife Anne; daughter, Geraldine Flanagan, Kells; son Bernard, Portmarnock; son-in-law, Noel; daughter-in-law, Geraldine; grandchildren, Gary, Karl, Lorna, Eoin, Cian and Conor. The funeral took place from Holy Cross Church, Dundrum to St Colmcille's Cemetary, Kells. A month's memory Mass will be offered for deceased on Sunday 18th July at 12.15pm in St Colmcilles, Church, Kells. ____________________________________________________________ Kathleen Brennan, Dunboyne The death recently occurred, at Dublin's Mater Hospital, of Mrs Kathleen Brennan, Warrenstown, Dunboyne. Aged 62, she was a member of the Walls family from Dunboyne. Deceased, who retained a very positive outlook on life througout the seven years of her illness, is survived by her husband, Colm Brennan; children, Niamh, Orla, Emer, Colm jnr and Ciara; son-in-law, partners, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews and nieces, in addition to other relatives. The funeral took place from Ss Peter & Paul's Church, Dunboyne, to Rooske Cemetery.