Obituaries 10-12-11

His family, friends and a wide circle of the friends of Fr William Joseph (Willie) Crahan were greatly saddened at the news of his death in Canberra, Australia on Sunday 6th November last. The eldest child of the late Thomas and Margaret Crahan of Demailestown, Wilkinstown, deceased was educated at Wilkinstown National School, St Patrick's Classical, Navan and St Finian's College, Mullingar. He studied for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome and was ordained in the Basilica of St John Lateran on 28th February 1953. He left Ireland to take up ministry in the Goulburn, Canberra Archdiocese in December 1953. Affectionately known to his parishioners as Fr Bill, he served in a number of parishes before being appointed parish priest of Yass, near Canberra, in 1988 where he served for the following 14 years until his retirement in 2002. He was an energetic and progressive parish priest encouraging greater participation by the laity in parish activities and overseeing many important developments in parish life. In a two page tribute in The Yass Tribune on the occasion of his retirement, one parishioner was quoted as saying that Fr Crahan was "a five star priest who has done a top job". He was known to carry out repair and maintenance work around the parish himself and acquired a reputation for getting projects in the parish and school finished on time and under budget. He enjoyed excellent relationships with ministers of other denominations and made an enormous contribution to ecumenical and community relations. Such was the regard in which he was held that Fr Crahan was presented with a Community Service Commendation on Australia Day in the year of his retirement from active work. On his retirement he moved to live in Canberra but maintained close links with parishioners and friends in Yass. Fr Crahan was never happier than when family members, friends or neighbours made their way to visit him in whichever parish he happened to be working. Many who were starting a new life in Australia have reason to remember the help, support and friendship extended to them by him. Those who were only visiting briefly enjoyed his generous hospitality. Fr Crahan spent ten years in Australia before returning for his first visit home. On later visits, he often made the trip to his late sister, Catherine Steel and her family in Staffordshire in the UK. In more recent times he liked to spend the summer months with his family in Demailestown. He enjoyed catching up on the doings of his extended family especially the family of his sister Marie, the Sheridans of Hayestown. These vacations were enjoyed in characteristically energetic fashion. Fr Crahan was always happy to help his fellow priests not only in his local parish of Oristown but also in other parishes in the diocese. He used the opportunity to keep in touch with his very many friends both clerical and lay, locally and further afield. An enthusiastic gardener he produced an abundance of vegetables for family and friends. One of his parishioners in Yass remarked that: "He should have been a farmer, he was still a farmer at heart". He enjoyed playing golf with friends and took a keen interest in GAA activities. On a number of occasions he managed to fit in visits to Lourdes and the island of Iona in Scotland and attended the annual celebration in honour St Oliver Plunkett at Loughcrew. Together with family members, Fr Crahan celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination on a visit to Rome in February of 2003. The celebrations continued at home on their return for the benefit of those who were unable to travel to Rome and to include his home parish community in Kilberry and Oristown. Fr Crahan made his last summer visit in Ireland in 2008. He enjoyed a visit from his brother Sean and niece Mary during the month of September. He died peacefully on 6th November and his funeral Mass took place in St Augustine's Church, Yass on 14th November and his remains were interred at the front of the church. His nephews Benny Sheridan, Ciaran Crahan and Eamon Crahan travelled to the funeral. He is survived by his sister, Marie Sheridan, Hayestown; brothers Sean, Demailestown and Pascal, Hayestown; sister-in-law, Marie Crahan, Demailestown; brother-in-law, Jim Steel, Stoke on Trent; nieces; nephews and a very large circle of friends. A Memorial Mass to celebrate Fr Crahan's life and work will take place in the Church of St John the Baptist, Kilberry at 11.30am on Saturday 17th December. ____________________________________________________________ James Farrelly, Clonmellon The people of Clonmellon and district were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr James (Jimmy) Farrelly, Hartstown, Clonmellon, aged 78, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, peacefully, surrounded by his family. A native of Hartstown, he farmed all his life, and worked for the Board of Works for a number of years. Deceased had a great love of animals, and had purchased two donkeys in recent times, as well as a cart, and had plans for his grandsons to bring them to the St Patrick's Day Parade next year. He enjoyed playing cards, particularly playing for turkeys and hams at Christmas, and always stopped for a social chat with neighbours after Sunday Mass. Deceased will be remembered as a man with a great faith in God, who had firm beliefs, and a man of great honesty, devoted to his wife, Anne (Nancy), and five daughters. He is survived by Nancy, daughters, Ailish, Noeleen, Annette, Imelda and Geraldine; brother, Jackie, England; sister, Kathleen, America; sons-in-law; grandchildren, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on Saturday 19th November from Ss Peter's and Paul's Church, Clonmellon, to the local cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place on Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm, in Clonmellon Church. ____________________________________________________________ Rose Doyle, Navan The death of Mrs Rose Doyle, Blackcastle Estate, Navan, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on 14th September last, caused considerable sadness. Aged 68, she was a member of the Stagg family of Bloomfield, Hollymount, Co Mayo, and wife of Mr Jim Doyle. Deceased qualified as a nurse at Gulson Hospital in Coventry, England, in 1964 and worked as a district nurse for five years. On returning to Ireland, she opened as playschool in 1979 that is still operating today. One of Mrs Doyle's hobbies was pitch and putt, and she was a member of Navan Pitch and Putt Club for more than 20 years, winning two Meath championships and many club competitions. She was playing up to the time of her untimely death. Deceased was a proud and committed republican all her life and held very strong views on the British occupation of part of the island of Ireland. She attended hunger strike commemorations every year, in Belfast, New York or Boston. Her brother, Frank, died on hunger strike in Wakefield, England, in February 1976. Mrs Doyle will be sadly missed by her loving family, relatives and wide circle of friends and many people that knew her in the greater Navan area. She is survived by her husband, Jim; sons, Kevin, Neil, Robert, Trevor; daughters, Roisin and Darina; brothers, Joe, Séan, Mícheal, Emmet and George; sisters, Maureen, Breege, Siobhan, and Martha; 10 grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver Plunkett's Church, Blackcastle, to Old Kilcarne Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Sean Kirke, Athboy The death recently occurred at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Sean Kirke, Baskinagh, Athboy. He was 79. A native of Inniskeen, Co Monaghan, the late Mr Kirke was a farmer all his life, starting off on a smallholding in his native place. The family moved on to a bigger farm near Johnstownbridge, Enfield, and then to Baskinagh. He had many friends in all these places, was a big GAA fan and a member of several farming organisations during his lifetime. Deceased is survived by his wife, Kitty; sons, Frank, Rathcormack, Kildalkey; PJ, Athboy; Niall, Nurney, Co Kildare, and Liam, Kildalkey; daughter, Marie, Baskinagh, Athboy; daughters-in-law, Clodagh, Ruth, Catherine and Patricia; sisters, Anna Smith, Dublin, and Briege Quigley, Inniskeen, and eight grandchildren. The funeral took place in St Dympna's Church, Kildalkey, followed by burial in St Dympna's Cemetery. A month's mind Mass will take place in the same church this Saturday, 10th December, at 6pm. ____________________________________________________________ Tony Heeney, Carnaross The regretted death took place on 5th July last of Mr Tony Heeney, Castlepole, Carnaross, Kells. Born on 13th December 1946, deceased was the son of the late John and Lily Heeney of St Colmcille's Villas, Kells. On completion of his education, Mr Heeney trained and became a qualifed butcher. He always had a love of driving and for many years was in the haulage business. In later years, Tony and his wife, Roseanne, set up a coach and taxi business. In the showband era, he was a drummer with the Jetliners Showband. The band played in many well-known venues throughout Ireland with Joe Dolan, Big Tom, Tony Kenny and many others. Greyhounds became a big part of Mr Heeney's life. He was a leading member of Kells Coursing Club for many years right up to the demise of the club. Over the years he owned a number of prize-winning greyhounds. Deceased is survived by his wife, Roseanne; daughter Sharon; son-in-law, Packie; grandchildren, brothers and sisters. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Ciaran's Church, Carnaross by Mons John Hanley PP. The liturgical music was provided by Marian O'Reilly and Br Frank Crummy. Eucharistic Minister at the Mass was Fr Liam Malone. A guard-of-honour was formed outside the church by members of the Coursing Clubs of Ireland and members of Drumbaragh GFC prepared the grave. Burial took place in St Colmcille's Cemetery, Kells. ____________________________________________________________ Gertrude Hageman, Laytown The death of Mrs Gertrude Hageman, Marian Villas, Laytown, at the age of 96, at Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, was the source of widespread sadness. A native of Black Sod, Co Mayo, she was a daughter of the late William and Helena Morgan, and was predeceased in 1964 by her husband, Gerrit Hageman. He was one of five Dutchmen who travelled from Holland to work in the Irish Oil and Cake Mills in Drogheda, and she worked in the Ice Factory which was located beside his workplace. They met there and married, and had ten children. Sadly, Mr Hageman died in 1964, and Mrs Hageman continued to care for her four sons and six daughters, and was devoted to her family, never once complaining, and never letting a day go by without thinking of Gerrit. She will be remembered as always being on hand to offer advice and was a loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Some of her words of advice were: "A shut house makes a wise head" and "If you feed the fire of friendship, the wind will fan the flames." Her sudden passing came on 9th September last, and she will be greatly missed, leaving a legacy her family will carry on. Deceased is survived by her family, Helena Murphy, Laytown; Willie, Laytown; Wietske Toner, Navan; Gerry, Laytown; Annie Halpenny, Laois; Piet, Laytown; Geraldine Tallon, Rathkenny; Jan, Laytown; Gertrude Durnin, Collon and Beatrix McCabe, Laytown, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Sacred Heart, Laytown, to Calvary Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Peter Eogan, Nobber Great sadness was occasioned over a wide area by the recent death at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Peter Eogan, Spiddal, Nobber. Aged 90 and a native of Rockfield, Nobber, he was predeceased by his wife, Isabella, in 1969 and his daughter, Jean, in 1997. Mr Eogan was a caretaker at Nobber VEC/O'Carolan College for 33 years and was a member of Nobber Fire Brigade for some 25 years. He was a valued member and former player with Nobber GFC and a panel member of North Meath Gaels who won the Senior Championship in 1946. Deceased also played on the first championship-winning team from Nobber in 1946 (the final was played in April 1947). He was also to the forefront in running Nobber GFC, having served in many positions at committee level, and his help in setting up the new club pitch was invaluable. Mr Eogan also served in the Irish Army for nine years and was a lifelong member of Fianna Fail. Deceased is survived by his daughters, Frances, Nobber, and Liz, Belfast; sons, John, Lucan, Co Dublin, and Nicholas, Bray, Co Wicklow; grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother, Michael, Rockfield, and brother-in-law. His remains were removed to St John's Church, Nobber, and the funeral took place after Mass there to the New Cemetery, Nobber. Guards of honour were provided by Nobber GFC, the fire service, Fianna Fail and the teaching staff and students of O'Carolan College, at the obsequies. A month's memory Mass takes place on Saturday night, 10th December, at 8pm, in Nobber Church.