Obituaries 02-04-2011

In pride of place on the wall just inside the door of Navan O'Mahonys clubhouse is a framed copy of the Meath Chronicle report of the 1979 Meath senior county final, in which O'Mahonys beat Summerhill 1-9 to 1-3. The headline reads: 'Tansey, Cassells and McCormack give superb displays'. Joe Cassells and Barry McCormack were playing midfield that October Sunday, and it was centre half back Ben Tansey who was named man of the match, 'and deservedly so', the report states. It continues: "When the winners were at their shakiest, he repeatedly rallied his side with some superb fielding, clever interceptions and general efficiency in tidying up loose ends. At times, this former Roscommon hurler and footballer appeared to be in a class apart, as repeated Summerhill attacks perished on his rock-like strength. Not only was he able to hold the fort, but he repeatedly caused havoc by his daring forays into Indian territory." It was Ben Tansey's first year playing with the club in the town he had arrived in to serve as a garda three years earlier, and it was also the inaugural man of the match award in the senior championship. Mr Tansey, who passed away on Friday last aged 58, was one of a select band of players to have played both senior football and hurling with two counties. He was a native of Coltraghduff, Balyforan, Co Galway, on the borders of counties Galway and Roscommon. The local club played in the Roscommon championship, and he played football with St Aidan's, with whom he won an IFC medal, and hurling with Four Roads, whom he helped to two county and one Connacht SHC titles. He also represented Connacht in hurling in the Railway Cup. Two years after that final against Summerhill, Ben Tansey captained O'Mahonys to lift the Keegan Cup after a final victory over Skryne. Overall he won five SFC medals, in 1979, '81, '85, '87, and '88. He also held two SHC medals, 1984, and 1985 when he enjoyed double championship success. Deceased played senior football for Meath from 1980 to 1985 and was part of teams in Sean Boylan's early years in charge, having earlier played alongside Boylan on Meath hurling teams. He made his football championship debut at full-back against Westmeath in Tullamore in 1980 and was left full-back alongside Mick Lyons in the defeat to Dublin at Pairc Tailteann later that summer. He later played at centre-back and in the forwards and was left full-forward on the Meath team which lost to Dublin in 1984 Leinster Final. After retiring from playing, deceased played a lot of golf and became a low handicap player. He had also enjoyed fishing, particularly in his native west of Ireland. Mr Tansey joined An Garda Siochana in 1973, and was stationed in Rush and Balbriggan before his transfer to Navan in 1976, where he was to spend the rest of his career. He is remembered as a quiet, unassuming man who dealt with issues in a sensitive and discreet manner. Involved with Special Olympics, he was a member of the Garda team that carried the torch into Navan in 2003, and he was also associated with Rehabcare. He retired from the force seven years ago, but suffered a debilitating stroke three years ago. However, he still attended games and was delighted to see O'Mahony's win the senior championship again in 2008. On the day of his passing last Friday, his daughter, Ann Marie, gave birth to a baby son, who is to be called Ben. Mr Tansey is survived by his wife, Kitty; family, Paul, Ann Marie and Bernard; mother, Kathleen; brothers, Michael and Liam; sisters, Agnes, Anne and Frances; in-laws, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a large circle of friends. Former teammates from St Aidan's, Four Roads, and Navan O'Mahonys carried the coffin to St Mary's Church, Navan, for the funeral Mass on Monday morning, flanked by a guard of honour from An Garda Siochana. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Brendan Ludlow, CC, assisted by Fr Paul Glynn, a cousin of the deceased. The remains were removed to Glasnevin Crematorium. ___________________________________________________________ Tony McEntee, Nobber The Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, led mourners from the world of politics and sport who joined the farming community and people of Nobber for the final farewell to Mr Tony McEntee last week. Mr McEntee (86) died peacefully on Tuesday morning of last week at his residence on Main Street, Nobber. He was born in August 1924, a son of the late Larry and Margaret McEntee. The family ran a grocery and general merchants' business in the village. Having worked for a number of years in the family business, Mr McEntee began farming at Muff, Nobber in 1949. He married Madge O'Brien of Killeary, Lobinstown in 1952. In the early days, deceased ran a mixed farming enterprise and from the mid to late 1950s he built up a successful dairy enterprise. In 1977, the family moved to farm at Mitchelstown, Castletown, before Tony and Madge McEntee retired to live in Nobber village in 2007. The late Mr McEntee was prominent in farming politics through his involvement in the National Farmers Association (NFA), later the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). He was a founder member of the Nobber branch of the NFA in 1955, and travelled widely with Patsy Gargan to help organise branches and elections in various parts of the country, according to the IFA Meath anniversary publication 'Shoulder to the Wheel'. He was one of those active in the campaign for farmers' rights in 1966, and was an honorary life member of the IFA. A county president of the association, deceased was also a National Council representative. He was involved with the Leinster Milk Producers, which evolved into the IFA Liquid Milk Group, and was a member of the board of directors of Bailieboro Co-op. Mr McEntee was very involved in community activities in his native Nobber, with groups such as the hall committee and the cemetery restoration group. He was firm believer in the ability of community spirit. Deceased was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and had received a gold pin (50 years) and the Fr Cullen medal (60 years). When his young family became involved in sport, he got involved with Nobber GAA at juvenile level and later was instrumental in the setting up of the Dee Rangers, a minor club amalgamation of Syddan and Nobber. The club reached two county finals against Skryne, in 1973 and '74, during his time with them as a selector. He was an honorary president of Nobber GAA at the time of his passing, and the GAA provided a guard of honour at his obsequies, as did the IFA. Two of his sons, Gerry (2) and Andrew (1), achieved All Ireland success with Meath in 1987 and 1988. Deceased will be remembered as a passionate and at times outspoken contributor to any cause in which he became involved. A member of the local Fine Gael branch, he worked tirelessly for the party and in particular for his son Shane, during election campaigns. The Taoiseach, Mr Kenny, attended the removal from Mr McEntee's home to the Church of St John the Baptist on Wednesday of last week, and the attendance included several senior government ministers and TDs, as well as politicians from across the party divides. Ministers included Deputy Shane McEntee's senior minister at the Department of Agriculture, Simon Coveney. The attendance also included footballers past and present and other GAA figures from across the country, many members of the medical profession and people from the wider business community. The Taoiseach's ADC, Cmdt Michael Treacy, attended the funeral Mass on Thursday, which was celebrated by Fr Seamus Houlihan, PP, Nobber, assisted by Fr Finian Connaghton, PP, Drumconrath; Fr Tom O'Mahony, PP, Skryne; Fr Phil Gaffney, PP, Curraha; Fr Michael Meade, PP, Donore; Fr David Bradley, PP, Holy Family, Drogheda; Fr Mark English, CC, Dunboyne; Fr PA Mackin, PE, Bohermeen; Fr Paddy Smith, SSC, Dalgan Park, with Fr Colum Swan, PE, Naas, also assisting at the graveside. The burial took place in Nobber Cemetery. Mr McEntee was predeceased by his brothers, Patrick, Jack, Lal and Vincent. He is survived by his wife, Madge; family, Alan, Gerard, Shane, Larry, Mary Furlong, Jimmy, Tony and Andrew; sister, Mona McEntee; 23 grandchildren, son-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and a large circle of friends. ___________________________________________________________ Michael Sheridan, Moynalty There was great sadness over a wide area following the death of Mr Michael (Mickey) Sheridan, Maio, Moynalty, on 2nd March last. He passed away peacefully, aged 75, following an illness bravely borne at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Deceased was a member of the Sheridan family, Corboggy, and moved to his residence in Maio, following his marriage to Ercnat McCormack in 1966. He had great pride and interest in family and community and took an active interest in the annual steam threshing festival in Moynalty. Mr Sheridan was predeceased by his wife, Ercnat, in 2002; sister, Mary Conlan; brothers, Jimmy, Tony and Tommie; sister-in-law Phyllis; and brothers-in-law, Brian, Gerry and Bryan. He is survived by his daughter Carmel, Navan; sons, Michael, New York, Jimmy, Maio; son-in-law, Mark, and Ruth; grandchildren, Kevin, Adam and Michael; sister, Nellie, Carrickspringan; brothers, John, Drakerath, Paddy, Navan, William, Corboggy; sisters-in-law, Lil, Kells, Breda, Mullagh, Marie, Navan, Ann, Corboggy, Jacqui, Athboy; brother-in-law, Gerry, Athboy; nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, aunts, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. Large crowds attended at Mr Sheridan's home, removal and funeral Mass at St Mary's Church, Newcastle, which was celebrated by Fr Joe McEvoy. Burial took place in Moynalty Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will be celebrated in Newcastle Church on Friday 8th April at 8pm. ____________________________________________________________ Peggy (Margaret) Sheegar, Enfield. The regretted death occurred on 11th March last of Mrs Peggy (Margaret) Sheegar (nee Monahan), Gurteen, Enfield, at Sancta Maria Nursing Home, Kinnegad. A native of Dunboyne and Maynooth, Mrs Sheegar (89) was predeceased by her husband, James, who passed away in 1994. Deceased is survived by her sons, Kevin and Martin; daughters, Mary and Patsy; grandchildren, Nicola, Lorraine, Robert and Gary; grandnephews, grandnieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from Kilshanroe Church, Enfield, to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Jane Boylan, Navan There was widespread sadness following the death on 28th February last of Mrs Jane Boylan, Sommerville, and late of Athlumney, Navan. She was aged 98 years and passed away at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim. Deceased was daughter of the late Mary and Christopher Mullen, Athlumney, and was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Boylan, in 1978, and son, Desmond in 1994, both in London. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Kay) Nash, England, sisters, Esther Egan, Athlumney, and Agnes McGuirk, Glasnevin, Dublin; grandchildren, John Nash and Sam Boylan, both England; great granddaughter, Shannon Nash, England. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Noel Geraghty, Dunboyne The regretted death occurred at his residence on 9th March last of Mr Noel Geraghty, Paceland, Dunboyne, aged 64. A native of Paceland, his passing occurred less than a year after that of his wife, Kathleen, in May 2010. Deceased was a former bread salesman who had a keen interest in sport, particularly horse racing and golf, as well as GAA. He was a former hurler with the Dunboyne club. He is survived by his sons, Alan and Brian; daughters, Maria Geraghty and Edel Doyle; grandchildren, Daniel, Sean, Adam, Holly and Josh; extended family; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Peter and Paul's Church, Dunboyne, to Rooske Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Lily Dee, Dunboyne Mrs Lily Dee, Rose Cottage, Dunboyne, who died on 22nd February last, was a member of the Wooton family of Blakestown Crossing, Leixlip, Co Kildare. Aged 87, she passed away at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. She lived at Milestown for the past 23 years with her late husband, Thomas, who died in January 2006, and sons, James and Patrick. Deceased worked as a railway crossing attendant with CIE for 11 years prior to retirement. Mrs Dee and her late husband were renowned for their gardens. In later years, she enjoyed attending the Dunshaughlin Day Care Centre. Deceased also loved knitting and crosswords. She is survived by her family, Michael, Mary, Eileen, Josephine, Sheila, James and Patrick, as well as carers Ann, Eileen and Mary. The funeral took place from St Peter's and Paul's Church to Rooske Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Colette O'Reilly, Ratoath The death recently occurred, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mrs Colette O'Reilly (nee Farrell), The Old Mill, Ratoath. She was 71. Outside of her family, the late Mrs O'Reilly's next greatest love was not only her own garden, but everybody else's, too. She was also an avid golfer and had many friends in Hermitage Golf Club, Lucan, Co Dublin. Deceased is survived by her husband, William (Liam); son, Niall; daughters, Grainne, Clodagh and Eilish; sons-in-law, Douglas, Cormac and Jason, and daughter-in-law, Emier. Cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium followed the funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Ratoath. ____________________________________________________________ Anne-Paula Carpenter, Tara There was widespread sorrow following the recent sudden and untimely death of Mrs Anne-Paula Carpenter, Jordanstown, Hill of Tara, Dunsany, on 6th March last. A native of Tara, she was a member of the Finnegan family of Jordanstown. Deceased is survived by her husband, Jimmy Carpenter; children, Paddy, Tommy and Gwendolyn; mother, Anne Finnegan; sisters, Eleanor Booth and Mary MacSweeney; brother, Jim; mother-in-law; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nephews and niece. Mrs Carpenter was predeceased by her father, Michael Finnegan. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, to the adjoining cemetery. A month's mind Mass takes place on Saturday next, 2nd April, in St Colmcille's Church. ____________________________________________________________ Desmond Brady, Oldcastle and Navan Mr Desmond (Dessie) Brady, Silverlawns, Navan, who died on 15th March last, was a publican in the town for many years, in the landmark establishment at the junction of Railway Street and Brews Hill, now O'Flaherty's. aged 87, he passed away at his home, following a short illness, surrounded by his family. A native of Oldcastle, he trained as a barman in The Bleeding Horse on Camden Street, Dublin, and ran a number of bars in Dublin before moving to Navan with his wife and family. He purchased Loughran's Bar on Brews Hill, renaming it The Falcon Bar. He ran this bar until the early 1990s, before retiring and selling the business. In recent years, the present owners, the Peters family, renamed the bar section of the pub 'Brady's Bar' in recognition of his ownership. Mr Brady was a colourful character and friend to all, and is fondly remembered by family, friends and former customers. He enjoyed golf and was a member of Royal Tara Golf Club. He was also a member of the local vintners' association, and its golf society. Predeceased by his wife, Stephanie, in 2007, he is survived by family, Florence, Dermot, Angela, Desmond, Eileen, Paul and Teresa; brother, Fr Raymond Brady; sons-in-law; nieces; nephews; grandchildren; great grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. A month's mind Mass takes place in St Mary's on Saturday 16th April at 6pm.