Obituaries 01-09-2012

Michael J McFadden, Navan The death occurred on Saturday last of Mr Michael J McFadden, who held the post of assistant county manager with Meath County Council for 16 years, and was also acting county manager on a number of occasions. Mr McFadden, of Mulroy, Boyne Road, Navan, was aged 80, and passed away peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, having being admitted on Friday. A native of Kerrykeel in Donegal, Mr McFadden joined Meath County Council as a staff officer in April 1959. He has began his local authority career in his native Donegal, in the library department, as a 20 year-old in 1952, and worked in various departments including as town clerk in Donegal over the following five years. From 1957-1959, he was town clerk in Clones, Co Monaghan, the youngest permanent town clerk at the time, prior to his move to Navan. As a housing officer in Meath, he was at the forefront of providing housing schemes through communal co-operation with local housing societies, with the first one opened in Laytown in 1962. Deceased became Meath County Development Officer, a position he enjoyed very much in the early 1970s, as it was a very busy time in business and industry in the county. NEC was looking at Ballivor as a base, and the furniture industry was booming in Navan, with plans to build an exhibition centre to cater for this sector. In 1976, he was appointed county secretary in Offaly County Council, and the family moved to Tullamore. Around this time, he was a member of the first planning appeals board, appointed by then Minister for Local Government, Jimmy Tully from Duleek. In 1979, he returned to Meath as assistant county manager, a position he held until retirement in 1995. This involved looking after the three town councils, Navan, Trim and Kells, as well as other major issues, including the privatisation of the waste refuse collection service. When Frank O'Brien retired as county manager in 1992, Mr McFadden became acting county manager until a successor was appointed. In the 1960s, deceased was a prominent member of the Navan Pioneer Players, and won an acting award for his role as The Friar in Bryan MacMahon's 'The Honey Spike' in the West Cork Drama Festival. In later years, he was a keen golfer and member of Royal Tara Golf Club, where he enjoyed a four ball on Wednesday afternoons. His garden was also a source of great enjoyment and pride to him. Mr McFadden is survived by his wife Rita (nee Feeley), family, Finola, Neil and Michael; brother, Colm; sisters, Rita and Kathleen; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place yesterday (Tuesday) from the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. ______________________________________________________ Imelda Carey, Slane Widespread regret was occasioned by the death of Mrs Imelda Carey, Dunderk, Slane, which occurred at her home following a short illness. Aged 60 years, she was one of a family of 10 of Owen and Ellie Russell, Milltown, Kilmainhamwood. Her early years was spent helping on the family farm. She moved to live at Dunderk upon her marriage to Tony Carey in 1972. They had one daughter, Sandra, and three grandchildren, who brought her so much joy. From her post-primary education, she won a scholarship to Cathal Brugha Street in Dublin. This led to employment in catering for a number of years. She also worked as a machinist. Mrs Carey lived life to the fullest and had a passion for gardening, outdoor life, dancing and music. Her colourful garden was much admired and she ran a successful business selling bedding plants and making floral arrangements. She worked hard looking after her flock of sheep, especially during the hectic lambing season. As a country and western enthusiast, she also travelled far and wide to hear various artists. Deceased was a proud member of AA and worked diligently to help others achieve contentment from sobriety. Never too busy to postpone whatever she was doing in order to respond to a request for help, she inspired and supported many people on the road to recovery and set up many new centres for meetings. Her door and heart were always open and a cup of tea and home-made bun at the ready. During her brief illness, she showed remarkable strength, bravery and courage and it was a time when her spirituality and deep faith was evident. Her popularity was demonstrated by the volume of people who called to her home and attended her funeral. Concelebrated requiem Mass with Fr John O'Brien, Fr Jim Lynch, Fr Joe Deegan, Fr Jack Kiernan, Fr John Bowe and Fr Paddy Smyth, took place in St John the Baptist Church, Kilberry, and she was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Deceased is survived by her husband, Tony; daughter, Sandra Cullen, Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim; son-in-law, Ian; grandchildren, Ashling, Owen and Maeve; brothers, John, Ciaran and Val Russell; sisters, Frances Lynch, Mary Carolan, Bernadette Blood and Alacoque McMahon. She was predeceased by her sisters, Bridie Hamill and Olive Brady. ______________________________________________________ Paschal Reilly, Kiltale There was widespread shock and sadness when news broke of the sudden passing at his home at Grange, Dunsany, on 3rd August last, of Mr Paschal Reilly, aged 53. Like his father Noel before him, Mr Reilly was synonymous with Teagasc Grange. He worked there for 38 years, initially as a farm hand and ultimately replacing his father as caretaker after his unexpected death in 1996. During his time in Grange, Paschal Reilly saw and engaged in lots of change, with staff coming and going and new buildings rising up across and beside the campus. Over these years, his dedication to his work, and his camaraderie with his colleagues, never faltered or altered throughout. Deceased was the keenest of sportsmen, and as a member of Kiltale Hurling Club, was part of the winning senior championship squad of 1982 and 1983. He remained involved with the club long after his playing days had ended, and went on to become secretary in later years, taking pride in the participation of his sons, Shane and Brian, in the game of hurling and their achievements at club and county level and his daughter Elaine's involvement with camogie. Mr Reilly also had a strong love for soccer. He played with Moynalvey Soccer Club, and again, after his boots had been hung up, he remained involved with the sport and held an executive position for a time with MDL. He followed the English premiership and in fact Paschal's well known "weakness" towards Liverpool FC was jested at his funeral mass. It was in the early nineties that Mr Reilly discovered the game of golf, and took to it with enthusiasm, ultimately lowering his handicap to 11. He was a member of Royal Tara Golf Club until his untimely death, and enjoyed regular outings and participated at many golfing events, being regularly seen playing courses in Meath, Ireland and Scotland - sometimes even three courses a week. Ironically one of his outings was at the Kiltale Hurling Club Classic less than a week before his passing. In fact he played in that classic twice - first with his friends on Friday evening and then with his brothers on Saturday morning - a testament to the type of sportsman he was. Paschal Reilly will be remembered as a son, a brother, a father, a hurler, a footballer, a golfer, a friend - all in one. He was a man hugely loved and respected as was evident by the huge numbers who paid their respects at his home and funeral. Son of the late Noel and Bridie Reilly, Grange, he is survived by his daughter, Elaine, Trim; sons, Shane, Australia, Brian, Kiltale, and Sean, Kilmessan; sisters, Ann Carolan, Dunshaughlin, and Martina Gorman, Kilmessan; brothers, Jimmy, Australia, and Dom, Kiltale; aunts, uncle, cousins, relatives, neighbours, colleagues and friends. His removal took place from his home to the Church of the Assumption, Kiltale for Funeral Mass on Monday 6th August. Guards of honour lined the entire route from his home to the Church, provided by his colleagues from Grange, Kiltale Hurling and Camogie Club, and Royal Tara Golf Club route from his home to the Church. The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr David Brennan and music and signing was provided by Eileen Ryan and Gwen Bagnall. Mr Reilly's remains left the Church to the strains of Liverpool's anthem, 'You Will Never Walk Alone' for burial immediately afterwards in the family plot at Killeen Castle cemetery, where Eanna Green rendered 'Amazing Grace'. A month's memory Mass takes place this Saturday, 1st September at 6.30pm in Church of the Assumption, Kiltale. ______________________________________________________ Philomena Curran, Navan The death took place on 18th August last at St Colmcille's Nursing Home, Kells, of Ms Philomena (Mena) Curran, Proudstown, Navan. She is survived by her brother, Patrick; sister, Evelyn Corrigan; nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Oliver's Church, Navan, to Kilberry Cemetery. ______________________________________________________ Brendan Mahon, Navan The regretted death recently occurred at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Brendan Mahon, St Ultan's Terrace, Navan. A native of the town, Mr Mahon (71) was a son of Pat and Rose Mahon. He was predeceased by his wife, Dina, in 2005. Mr Mahon was a retired furniture manufacturer and a former member of Headfort Golf Club. Deceased is survived by his daughters, Vicina Mahon, Carlanstown, Kells; Carol Barrett, St Brigid's Villas, Navan; Dina Cassidy, Valencia, Spain, and Susanne Mahon, Beaufort Place, Navan; sons-in-law and grandchildren. The funeral took place in St Mary's Church, Navan, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. ______________________________________________________ Edward Slevin, Dunboyne There was widespread regret in Dunboyne and further afield following the death of retired publican, Mr Edward (Ned) Slevin, at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, after a short illness. Born in Killenard, County Laois in 1931, Mr Slevin left there at 18 years of age and joined the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in Cork. Later, he moved to Dublin and set up a family home in Villa Park Avenue, Navan Road and later, Roselawn Road, Blanchardstown. After a very successful career spanning 36 years in P&T and later Telecom Eireann, he retired as an engineering superintendent in 1985. In 1985, Mr Slevin moved to Dunboyne, purchased the Limetree Bar and renovated it and reopened it as Ned Slevin's. He successfully ran and oversaw various renovations to the premises and established it as a foremost public house and restaurant in County Meath until his retirement. Deceased was well travelled and had a passion for driving, from his earlier years on his BSA Golden Flash motorcycle to driving extensively throughout the world, visiting all of the continents. In latter years, Mr Slevin spent his time tending to his garden which was immaculate and was a regular sight on the Maynooth Road walking his dog, or stopping frequently to chat with his neighbours and friends. He was a great supporter of his native county's football team in Laois and a regular visitor to Croke Park. He was a regular punter in Dunboyne GAA Bar at the weekends where he enjoyed a pint along with the banter, and was often called upon for a rendition of 'The Isle of Innisfree'. Deceased is survived by his wife Kay; sons, Tom, Eugene and John; daughters-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; relatives; neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Dunboyne, to Rooske Cemetery. ______________________________________________________ Terry Ginnerty, Trim Much sadness was felt over a wide area following the passing of Mr Terry Ginnerty, Mornington Heights, Trim, at St James's Hospital, Dublin, on 1st August last. A native of Railway Road, Trim, Mr Ginnerty (64) had been a local milkman for over 40 years, responsible for deliveries from Athboy to Trim, Dunderry, Robinstown, Summerhill, Rathmolyon and Ballivor. He was a great local Trim GAA supporter and player in the 1960s and '70s and also followed Meath teams for many years. Other hobbies included playing darts with the Priory Inn team for nearly 30 years. He was also a regular player on the Meath Darts Team and won many trophies and competitions with both teams. In more recent years, he became a keen golfer and played with local golf societies, raising money for various local charities. Deceased is survived by his wife, Ann; son, David, Ballygar, Galway; daughters, Tara, Turrey Meadows, Athboy, and Lorraine, Cloran Court, Athboy; son-in-law, Gary Cole, Cloran Court, Athboy; grandchildren, Eoghan, Jennifer, Emily and Evan; brothers, Liam and Christy, Trim; Michael and Steven, England; sisters, Maureen, Trim, and Kathleen, England; sisters-in-law, Margaret and Rita, Trim; Maureen and Mary, England; brother-in-law, Roger, England, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Pat. There was a very large attendance of friends, neighbours and acquaintances at Mr Ginnerty's funeral Mass, which took place in St Patrick's Church, Trim, on Saturday 4th August, with burial afterwards in St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. Fr Sean Henry, PP, celebrated the funeral Mass, while Fr Mark Mohan officiated at the graveside. Following the ceremony, Niall Winters performed a touching rendition of Paddy Reilly's famous song 'The Deportees' as a tribute.