Shock at sudden death of popular Athboy business man on holiday in Portugal
Padraic Staunton was deeply immersed in life of community
The town of Athboy and the wider community, as well as his native Mayo, are mourning the untimely death while on holiday in Portugal last week of retired pharmacist, Padraic Staunton.
Mr Staunton, of Hill of Ward, Athboy, is believed to have taken ill on Thursday while cycling during the break away with his wife, Brenda. He was aged 67 and father of Colm (Aoife) and Emer (Jono).
A former Athboy Community Person of the Year, he was deeply embedded in the business, sporting, and civic fabric of the town that he made his home since the early 1980s, when he established a pharmacy there, having managed a business there, and falling in live with the town.
He was one of the founding members of the St Patrick's Day Parade, which marked its 40th anniversary last year, and was a chairperson of Athboy Tidy Towns at the turn of the millennium. He was involved in the formation of the rugby club, and in the cultural group Éigse Uí Ghramhnaigh. Mr Staunton was instrumental in bringing the Leinster Fleadh Cheoil to Athboy in 2019.
When he was named Community Person of the Year in 2011, he was overseeing the renovation of the old stables for the Diarmuid Gavin television show, ‘Dirty Old Towns’.
Later, when the former McElhinney's Fashion Show came on the market, in an effort to maintain the property in local ownership for the benefit of the town, he acquired it and made it available as a medical and retail centre. He had retired from the pharmacy at this stage, and wanted to give something back to the town.
Mr Staunton was a prominent and vocal member of the Irish Pharmacy Union, and was also an active member of the town retailers association.
His father, Joe snr, was a member of the last Mayo side to win an All-Ireland senior football championship, in 1951, and was also a pharmacist, as was his uncle, Jack. Padraic's brother, Joe, later came to Meath and worked with him before establishing his own business in Navan.
Local councillor, David Gilroy, said the news of the passing of Padraic Staunton cracked the foundations of the whole community of Athboy.
“It is impossible to overstate Padraic's role in the community,” he said. “You could list on one hand the number of people who he didn’t help at some stage through out his life in Athboy. The first to volunteer and last to leave. Padraic Staunton's legacy will continue to be written through deeds, his friends and us, his friends. His advice, support and encouragement always helped place things into perspective and provided a way forward. My and the whole community’s thoughts and prayers are with his family as they face into uncharted and unimagined territory.”
Family members have travelled over to be with Brenda, and they hope to bring Padraic's remains home towards the end of this week.
Meanwhile, Ratoath resident Declan Coombes also passed away suddenly on holiday in Portugal yesterday (Monday).
Formerly of Castleknock, Dublin, and a past club captain of Coolmine RFC, Declan leaves behind his children, Erika and Charlie, and partner, Deirdre, brother George, sisters Jacinta and Catherine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, Deirdre’s family, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Maria. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.