Obituaries 28-07-12

James Fay, Trim and Celbridge A true gent. This was the phrase used again and again by the relatives, friends, neighbours and acquaintances who gathered to mark the recent passing of Mr James (Jim) Fay, of Celbridge, Co Kildare and formerly, Knightsbrook, Trim. Gentlemanliness is not always a trait associated with formidable GAA players, especially those who compete as vigorously as Jim Fay invariably did, but it's a mark of the man that many of his most enduring friendships were forged in the heat of battle on the playing field. Deceased's passion for Gaelic football and hurling (especially hurling) was the signature tune of his life. His talents were obvious from an early age. Following a barren period for Trim hurling in the 1920s and early 1930s, Mr Fay was prominent among the generation of players that returned the club to cup-winning glory. Alongside gifted contemporaries like George Caffrey and Ollie O'Reilly, he graduated from a squad of promising minors to become a linchpin of the highly successful senior team. He had the distinction of playing at county level on numerous occasions but his greatest achievements were with his beloved club. Between the late 1940s and 1960, a period during which Trim dominated Meath hurling, he won ten senior hurling championship medals. Among the sporting figures who paid generous tribute to Mr Fay following his death was Seamus Brennan, club secretary of Trim GAA. "Whenever people in our club reminisce about past games and former players, the name of Jim Fay is always foremost in the conversation," said Mr Brennan. "He is regarded as one of the most outstanding hurlers and footballers ever to grace our fields. Indeed, his contribution to our club as a committee member and coach after his playing days was also enormous." James Fay was born on 21st October 1924 and grew up at the family homestead in Knightsbrook, near Trim, with his brothers Bill and Luke and younger sister Betty. He was involved with the construction industry throughout his working life, initially as a carpenter and later as a builders' foreman. During the economic depression of the 1940s, he travelled the country, often by bicycle, to wherever work was available. He also spent several years in London but eagerly returned to Ireland when economic conditions improved. Before long, he was overseeing the construction of large housing schemes. In the early 1960s, while both were working in Dublin, he met Elizabeth (Cissie) Murphy, a native of Carlow. Jim and Cissie married in 1964. They had two sons, Liam and Tommy. From the early 1970s onwards, the family lived just outside the village of Kiltale. Not surprisingly, deceased became heavily involved with Kiltale GAA as a player, coach and selector. The skill and determination he once displayed on the pitch were soon evident on the sidelines, and he became a valued mentor to successive waves of new players. Gardening was another of his lifelong enthusiasms, a pursuit that suited his fondness for fresh air, calm and patient productivity. After the hassle and din of a week on the building sites, and before the tense pressure of Sunday's GAA fixtures, he liked to spend his Saturdays tending his vegetable plots. When he retired in the early 1990s, the cultivation of roses became an impassioned preoccupation. By that time, he and Cissie had relocated to Celbridge where they enjoyed many happy years. He died on 13th June, in the care of the Glenashling Nursing Home, Celbridge, and was buried at St Loman's cemetery Trim, following funeral Mass at St Patrick's Church. He is deeply missed. A true gent. ____________________________________________________________ Bernadette Cullen, Navan The death of Bernadette Cullen (nee Moore), of The Elms, Beaufort Place, Navan, at the age of 54, was the source of widespread sadness. She passed away at home following a three-month illness. A native of Old Kilcarn, deceased was daughter of Elizabeth (Rita) and the late Patrick Moore. She began her working career as a hairdresser in a number of well-known local salons, and after taking time out to rear her children, went to work in the catering business as she had a love of cooking and meeting people. She excelled, reaching management level. Deceased was always open to new challenges and went back to college to further her education, becoming a very successful and highly regarded healthcare tutor. This was shown by the high volume of fellow work colleagues and students who called to the home that she shared with her partner and soulmate Brian, and attended her funeral Mass. She was also a great supporter of Meath Gaelic football. Deceased is survived by her partner, Brian Lynch; daughter, Orla Donnelly, Abbeygrove, Navan; son, Barry Cullen, St Enda's Villas, Navan; mother, Rita Moore; sisters, Joan Mooney, Mary Carroll, Geraldine Murphy, Sandra Farrell, Fiona Buchanan; brothers, Noel and Joseph Moore; son-in-law, Stephen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; aunts, cousins, relatives and friends, and the extended Lynch family in Cavan. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, to Old Kilcarne Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Joe McGrath and Fr Michael McGrath, Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, and Fr Kevin Heery, CC, Navan. A month's memory Mass takes place in Johnstown Church on Friday 3rd August at 8pm. ____________________________________________________________ Kathleen Bracken, Ballivor There was widespread sadness following the peaceful passing death of Mrs Kathleen (Kate) Bracken (nee Dempsey), Muchwood, Ballivor, on 5th March last. Deceased worked for many years in Navan Carpets before leaving to raise her family. She later returned on a part-time basis. She was an active member for many years in Ballivor Community Council and was a founding member and active participant in Ballivor Senior Citizens committee for 25 years. She completed a number of mini-marathons for cancer charities and also supported the disabled artists, Beaumont Hospital and Sightsavers. Deceased had a strong faith and undertook many pilgrimages to Lough Derg, Lourdes and was greatly moved in Fatima. Mrs Bracken was an avid reader and loved music and dancing. She will be greatly missed and loved always. She is survived by her husband, Michael; family, Nicola, Barry and Diane; grandchildren, Ellen, Martha, Michael, Molly and Frankie; brothers; sisters; sons-in-law, Sean and John; daughter-in-law, Niamh and her daughter Muireann; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. ____________________________________________________________ Paddy Conlon, Clonard The parish priest of Duleek, Fr John Conlon, has been bereaved by the death of his father, Mr Paddy Conlon, Ballyboggan, Clonard. Mr Conlon died peacefully at home on Monday. Wife of the late Ciss, he is survived by family, Denis, Fr John, Pauric and Brendan, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral takes place today (Wednesday) at 11am in St Finian's Church, Clonard, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.