Death of showband singer, Jim Tobin

Former showband singer Jim Tobin, who was diagnosed with motor neurone last year, died in the early hours of this morning.

 Jim (75), had a glittering showbiz career in the golden showband era of the late ‘60s and ‘70s.

‘Gentleman Jim’ started his career with The Firehouse in 1969, after joining a local band called The Craftsmen. He spent the next 12 years with them at the top of the country and Irish field of music. Later, Jim Tobin and The Firehouse became a household name after reaching number one with their first record, a Jim Reeves song, ‘This is it’.

The Skyrne man was diagnosed with MND in April of last year.

As a young man, Jim worked a day job driving his father’s truck transporting sand and gravel before embarking on a full-time professional career in the 1970s. He retired from the music business in 1980 and returned to his first love of truck driving when his showband days ended, however, he still continued to sing, performing at many charity events across the country up until his diagnosis.

Predeceased by his wife Caroline (nee Costello, Dunsany), his parents Patsy and Mai, his brother Thomas and sister Stella, Jim is survived by his daughters, Avril and Yvonne, grandchildren Jamie, Cheyenne and Daniel, great-granddaughter Ella May, son in law David, sisters Margaret, Finola, Marie, Marian and Chris, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, aunts Phil Lynch and Bridie Tobin, and extended family, as well as his friends in the music industry.

He will repose in Ryan's Funeral Home, Ashbourne, on Tuesday evening, from 3pm, prior to removal to Skryne Church, arriving at 7pm.

Fr Brian D'Arcy will be chief celebrant at Mass in St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, on Wednesday, at 12 noon.