Obituaries 17-03-2012

Mr Jackie Whyte, Tylas, Greenpark, Dunshaughlin, who died last week aged 93, was selected to take part in the international 30 mile time trial cycling championships in Milan in Italy over 70 years ago, but Italian involvement in World War II meant that his participation in those championships never took place. In 2006, in an interview with the Meath Chronicle, he looked back on his cycling career, and shared his memories of the area he grew up in and his working life. Mr Whyte lived at Kilmoon, and went to school in Cushinstown NS, where fellow students at the time included the Haughey family, Charles, the future Taoiseach, Sean and Maureen, and a future football great, Peter McDermott, with whom he shared a desk and maintained a lifelong friendship. As a five year-old in 1920s Ireland, bicycle races were glamorous occasions, and most parishes had big sports days with bicycle races. "At the time, very few lads would have sports bikes. They'd have bikes put together with a bit of this and a bit of that," Jackie recalled in that interview, calling them 'upstairs bikes'. He bought his own first bicycle in Woods of Parliament Street in Dublin for £5. "I was working with the Land Commission at the time, on 27 shillings a week, so it was a lot of saving," he said. He started training, cycling 10 or 15 miles at a time, increasing to 20 and 25. People walking, or travelling in pony and trap, were the only ones on the road in those days. With friends, he cycled to the picture house in Drogheda. "I saw a cup in the window of a shop there," Jackie remembered. "It was for the 25 mile Drogheda Traders Cycling Club Time Trial. It was to be held three weeks later." He went training every evening, covering 25 miles, went to Drogheda, and won the cup. It was to be the start of a successful cycling career and he joined the old Navan Cycling Club around 1938. He preferred road work rather than track cycling. Reilly, Rennicks, the Garry brothers, Tommy Casserly and Mickey Beggan are some of the names he remembered from that period. Jackie Whyte won the first competitive mass start race from Navan. It was for the Red Cross Cup and took in a route from Navan-Slane-Beauparc and back to Navan. In 1938, he won the 25 mile championship of Leinster, in Kildare. He dominated the scene for a decade and on numerous occasions was the fastest competitor in the 50 mile time trial from The Brooks Stores on the Navan Road in Cabra to Navan and back to Cabra. It was nothing to cycle fifty miles an evening two nights a week, or cycle into Finglas for the Evening Herald. He remembered cycling to Croke Park with Peter McDermott. Deceased then joined the City and Suburban Club, based in Dublin, and took part in such races as the Dublin-Wicklow 25 mile championship. He was second in a 100 mile time-trial. Bicycles at the time were fixed gear, there wouldn't be much speed, and it was pedalling all the time. He had to cycle to Dundalk to get tubes on the black market during the War. Up until the last decade, he thought nothing of hopping up on a saddle. Deceased was luckier than most of his generation. He inherited a farm at Greenpark, Jealoustown, and worked for sixty years in construction. An old black and white photograph in his kitchen showed him and a gang working on the laying of Greenpark Lane in 1935. His uncle Joe and himself were the last two survivors from the photograph. Joe, who lived in Dublin, died in 2007, and was buried in his wife's native Dunsany. Others in the photo were James Dowling, Tommy Fowler, Gerry Clarke, Paddy Shally, Bill Marley, Larry Russell, Jimmy Dempsey and Joe Johnson. Jackie Whyte married the late Patricia Mitchell from Waterside, Rathfeigh and farmed at Tylas up until foot and mouth struck in 2001, as well as working in building. Jackie and Patricia had four sons and she passed away in 2002. Their family home is the only residence in the townland of Tylas. Many of his generation emigrated to England. He remembered many going to the east coast of England, to the Ipswich area, to work with beet growers. Among those who left were his brother, Brendan, and sister, Phyllis, and in 2006, he got his first Passport as he was going to visit them in England - it was his first time to get a Passport, at the age of 88. He would have celebrated his 94th birthday in April. He passed away peacefully on 7th March at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, haven taken ill at his home on Monday of last week. Mr Whyte is survived by his sons, Tony, Ashbourne, Sean, Dunboyne, Gerry, Tylas and Francis, Reask, Dunshaughlin; sister Phyllis, England; daughters-in-law Fiona, Patricia and Mary; grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a large circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Andrew's Church, Curraha, to Rathfeigh Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Thomas Rattigan, Navan The death occurred on 24th February last of Mr Thomas (Tom) Rattigan, St Erc's Villas, Slane Road, Navan, aged 77, causing widespread sadness. A native of Cloonfad, Co Roscommon, deceased played county football in his early years and then went to London in the 1950s to work in the construction industry. In 1969, Mr Rattigan, his wife and young family moved to Navan. Deceased was a civil engineer and builder and worked in the construction industry until five years ago. He had a great interest in football, rugby, horse racing, greyhound racing and playing cards. He was a devoted family man and always loved a laugh with all ages. Mr Rattigan was husband of the late Annie (Nancy), (nee Murray); and the late Nancy (Nugent). He is survived by his son, Stephen; daughters, Linda, Sandra, Anita and Elaine; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; 12 grandchildren; brothers; sister; brother-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. ____________________________________________________________ Teresa Dowdall, Clonard There was wideapread regret following the passing on 5th March last of Mrs Teresa Dowdall (nee Quinn), Meadow View, Clonard, Enfield. She will be sadly missed by her family and is survived by her husband, Philip; family, Mellissa, Thomas, Clarrissa, Audrey, Glen, Philip and Arlene; 13 grandchildren; brother, Seamus; and sisters, Kathy and Trish. The funeral took place from St Finian's Church, Clonard, to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Robert Payne, Trim There was considerable sadness following the death of Mr Robert (Bob) Payne at his home in Mornington Way, Trim, on 2nd February last, aged 63. Originally from Scotland, he was son of Isobel and the late Donnie Payne. Devoted to his family, his second passion in life was football, and his favourite team was Manchester United. He refereed soccer matches all around Meath when he first moved to the county in 1990. Mr Payne is survived by his wife, Nuala; son, William; daughter, Ann Marie; grandson, Dylan; mother, Isobel; brother, John; sister-in-law, Brenda; nieces, Kim, Carolyn and Deanne, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Jim Hanratty, Collon At the monthly meeting of Broomfield & District Residents Association on Thursday 8th March, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to association founder and honorary president, Mr Jim Hanratty, who passed away on Tuesday 28th February. There were many tributes paid to Mr Hanratty at the meeting. The passing of Mr Hanratty was mourned throughout the district and further afield by young and old alike. A popular man to all who knew him, deceased was active in community and parish affairs all his life. A popular musician, he played a button key accordion for over 80 years, and featured on numerous occasions on RTE's Ceili House as a solo performer. Deceased was a founder member of Broomfield and District Residents Association and its first chairman. He had unbroken service with the association to the time of his passing and served in several capacities including chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and member, and was appointed honorary president of the association in 2010. When it came to negotiating or speaking on behalf of the community, he had few equals. His advice, wisdom and meticulous attention to detail will be sadly missed by those who worked closely with him over the years. Highly valued as a neighbour by those who resided on the Broomfield Road, nothing was too much when it came to helping out a neighbour in need. The association and community offered sincere sympathy to Mr Hanratty's wife, Margaret, and the Hanratty family. He was laid to rest in Collon New Cemetery on Friday 2nd March following Mass in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Collon. A large guard of honour was provide by Broomfield and District Residents Association and Mattock Rangers GFC. ____________________________________________________________ Janie Shaw, Clonmellon The death of Ms Janie Shaw, Kilskyre Road, Clonmellon, at the age of 86, occurred in Tullamore General Hospital on 25th February last, causing widespread sadness. She is survived by her daughter, Maureen; son-in-law, Seamus; grandaughter, Brigid and her husband, Stephen; great grandchildren, Chloe and Lauren; brothers, Christy and Tom; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, neighbours and many friends. The funeral took place from Ss Peter's and Ss Paul's Church, Clonmellon, to the local cemetery. A months memory Mass will take place on Saturday 24th March at 7.30 pm in Clonmellon Church. ____________________________________________________________ Mary Smith, Kingscourt There was widespread sadness following the death of Mrs Mary Smith, Kells Road, Kingscourt, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on 23rd February last. Aged 88, Mrs Smith was a native of Castletown KP and was daughter of the late William and Agnes Donegan. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter, in August 1999. Mrs Smith was an employee of Kingscourt Livestock Salesyard for many years. A deeply religious lady, she was a founder of Kingscourt Apostolic Society, and a member for 40 years. She made children's clothes and altar linens for the missions. Deceased was a past member of the Legion of Mary and Kingscourt Pioneers and was involved in its many prize winning quiz teams over the years, winning numerous All-Ireland finals, including 2011. Deceased looked after the Fatima Shrine for many years and in February 2011 received a Papal Award, The Benemerenti Medal from Bishop Michael Smith. A humble person she felt honoured and so proud to receive this award. In her spare time she was a keen gardener. She was a lifelong Meath supporter and the green and gold trees around her garden reflected this. A devoted mother, grandmother and friend, she will be sorely missed by her family, as well as her community. Mrs Smith is survived by her daughters, Mary McCormick, Banbridge, and Rita Smith, Dublin; sons, Stan, Kingscourt, Peter, Dublin, Dickie, Athlone, and Gary, Limerick; grandchildren, Sarah and David Smith, Dublin; Ronan and Aoife Smith, Limerick; Charlie and Tommy Smith, Athlone; sister, Lauri Manley, New York; relatives, friends, and neighbours. The funeral took place from The Church of The Immaculate Conception, Kingscourt, to the adjoining cemetery, celelbrated by Father Gerry MacCormack PP, Fr John Bowe SMA and Fr Peadar O'Loughlin, SSC, Dalgan Park. ____________________________________________________________ Billy Dolan, Kells The death occurred peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Billy Dolan, Blackwater Heights, Kells and formerly of Newcastle, Moynalty and Cruicetown, Nobber. He will be remembered by an extensive farming community for his work and expertise in the whole area of machinery management and repair. Deceased moved to Kells almost 50 years ago to work with the Farrelly family and later with Brady's of Blackwater Stud, and then to B&F Machinery. Over many years, he taught numerous young farmers the safe and correct ways to use and maintain farm machinery. Mr Dolan was a noted hard worker and was seen on many farms driving every type of machine - no task on the land was ever to difficult. In his homily in St Colmcille's Church, Kells, Fr Liam Malone, CC, spoke of deceased's love of the land, his love of Irish music, and most of all his love and dedication to his young grandchildren. He spoke of him as being a very good and kind neighbour who will be greatly missed by his family and the wider community. The readings, prayers of the faithful, gifts and symbols of Mr Dolan's life were carried by family and neighbours. Following the funeral Mass, Mr Dolan was laid to rest in his native parish of Moynalty. He is survived by his wife, Josie; daughter; Claire; sons, Philip and William; sister, Olive; uncle, Mick; grandchildren, Cody, Luke, Lee, Sam; nephews, nieces, in-laws and extended family and a wide circle of friends.