Obituaries 20-10-2012

Pascal Crahan, Hayestown The regretted death occurred on 19th September last of Mr Pascal Crahan, Hayestown, Navan, and formerly of Demailstown, Wilkinstown, peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Aged 80, deceased spent his working life farming, which he enjoyed, along with his involvement in both football and hurling as a player, official and supporter, in particular with Wilkinstown Hurling Club. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Margaret Crahan, Demailstown; sister, Catherine Steel, Stone-on-Trent, England; and brother Fr William, Yass, Australia. He is survived by his sister, Marie Sheridan, Hayestown; brother, Sean, Demailstown; sister-in-law, Maire; nieces, nephews, and a large crcle of friends. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Paul Crosbie in the Church of the Assumption, Yellow Furze, Beauparc, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 21st September at 10.30am, in the Church of the Assumption, Yellow Furze. ____________________________________________________ Fr FX O'Reilly, Oldcastle The death occurred on 2nd October last of Oldcastle native Fr Francis Xavier O'Reilly, the former parish priest of Mountnugent. Fr O'Reilly was also parish priest of Kingscourt and Holy Family Parish, Drogheda. He was educated at St Finian's College, Mullingar and St Patrick's College, Maynooth and was ordained in 1960. Fr O'Reilly was on loan to the diocese of Ossory for a number of years as well as working in London prior to his return in 1968, as CC Kingscourt. Fr O'Reilly also served in Dunboyne (1973) and Duleek (1977) prior to his appointment as Administrator in Dysart in July 1983. He was later appointed the first PP of Holy Family parish, Drogheda in August 1987, followed by appointment as PP in Kingscourt (1994) and Mountnugent (1998). He retired in September 2004 to Raharney and moved to the Portiuncula Nursing Home, Multyfarnham in April 2008. He is survived by his family, Grainne, Sean, Brid, Maire, Eddie, Ciaran and Una; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends. Fr O'Reilly's Funeral Mass took place on Friday 5th October in St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, followed by burial in the local cemetery. ____________________________________________________ Seamus Smyth, Virginia and Navan The death occurred peacefully at home at the weekend of Mr Seamus Smyth, Forge Lane, Ryefield, Virginia, Co Cavan and formerly Abbeygrove, Navan. Mr Smyth was a former photographer who contributed work to the local newspapers in Navan, the Meath Chronicle and the Weekender, particularly of sporting events. He delighted in taking photographs until illness prevented him in recent years. Mr Smyth is survived by his wife, Christina (nee Beggy); son, James; daughter, Emma; daughter-in-law, Michelle; son-in-law Benjamin; granddaughter, Ceola; brothers Joseph and Sean; sisters, Pauline and Sheila; and extended family. His funeral takes place today (Wednesday) at 11am in Mary Immaculate Church, Virginia, with burial afterwards in Fletcherstown Cemetery, Wilkinstown, Navan, arriving at 12.30pm approximately. ____________________________________________________ John Joe Griffin, Trim Former taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, John Bruton, has paid tribute to Mr John Joe Griffin, Carberstown, Trim, who passed away last week. He said: "I was very sad to hear that John Joe Griffin had died after a long illness. I first met him during the Presidential election campaign of Tom O Higgins in 1966. John Joe gave a lifetime of dedicated and unselfish service to Fine Gael in South Meath and more widely. He was never found wanting when work was to be done. He had deep and knowledgeable interest in political issues. He was firm in his convictions, but always polite in his expression of them. He is a great loss. I wish to express heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Mary, and all his family, in their time of loss. Mr Griffin is survived by his wife, Mary (née Carvill); sister, Kathleen; brothers, Paul, Jimmie; sisters-in-law Ann and Christine, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother, Val. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery.