Obituaries 7th December 2013

Seac Murray, Dunshaughlin and Dublin

The death has taken place recently in Dublin of a Dunshaughlin man who had claims, at one time, to being the most popular man in Ireland. Patrick Seacnaill Murray, known to one and all as ‘Seac’, was the man whose signature adorned every Social Welfare cheque issued during a period in the 1970s when he worked as Accountant to the Department of Social Welfare. Seac attended the Abbey School in Navan from where he won a Preparatory College scholarship in 1936. While attending Coláiste Éinde in Galway he played Minor Hurling for Meath in the 1938 Leinster Championship. Upon being successful in the Junior Executive examination for entry to the Civil Service he spent the rest of his working life in the service of the state, firstly in the Land Commission and then, for many years, in the Department of Social Welfare until his retirement in 1980.
Seac was a well-known singer who met his late wife, Bríd, backstage in the Gaiety Theatre where he was singing in the chorus of the Dublin Grand Opera Society. He sang at many weddings in Dublin and Meath and was an active member of the Glenalbyn Musical Society in Dublin for many years. In later years he transferred his hurling skills to the golf course and became, in time, an Honorary Life Member of Clontarf Golf Club where he also distinguished himself on the snooker table and the bowling green. In recent years Seac battled Parkinson’s Disease with the courage and good humour that characterized every aspect of his life. He died peacefully on 3rd November last at the age of 92. He is survived by his family, David, Paul, Fiona, Darina and Declan; brothers, Brendan Murray, Dunshaughlin, and Fr Aidan Murray SDB, Newent, Gloucestershire; sisters, Gráinne Leonard, Dunshaughlin, and Ita Flynn, Dublin; relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

 

Colm Walsh, Dunsany

There was widespread shock and sadness following the sudden death in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, on 10th November last of Colm Walsh, Galtrim, Dunsany, at the age of 72. 
Colm was born in Dunboyne and moved to Galtrim at the age of three. Having lost his mother, Elizabeth, at a young age, he was raised by his father, Patsy, and older siblings, Maureen, Bernie, Nancy, Sonny and Nuala. 
He was predeceased by all but one sibling – his sister, Nancy, currently living in Manchester.
Colm worked from a very early age as a farmhand and on the buildings. He finished off his employment at Teagasc, Grange, where he worked for 23 years prior to his retirement. 
He was a stalwart Kiltale hurling and Moynalvey football supporter, and would often be seen and heard offering support from the sideline.
He was a former Kiltale hurler himself and all four of his children have played for the club. 
Colm loved the land and farming and he was a frequent visitor, along with his wife, Bernie, to both Carnaross and Delvin Marts. A hardworking man, he was a popular figure and known to be a man who enjoyed good sport and good fun. He enjoyed his nights in Kiltale Centre and the odd flutter.
Colm will be sadly missed by his wife of 44 years, Bernie; sons, PJ, Ray and Darren; daughter, Martina; daughters-in-law, Mary and Laura; son-in-law, Tommy; grandchildren, TJ, Clodagh, Charlie and Eabha-Marie, as well as his sister, Nancy; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.   
There was a large attendance at the funeral Mass, concelebrated by Fr David Brennan, Moynalvey, and Fr Oliver Devine, Kildalkey, in the Church of the Assumption, Kiltale, followed by cremation afterwards in Glasnevin Crematorium.

 

Patrick O’Connor, Kilmainhamwood

The recent tragic death following a road accident outside Navan of Mr Patrick O’Connor, Ballynaclose, Kilmainhamwood, Kells, evoked great shock and sadness. He was aged 33.
A native of Ballynaclose, he was a son of Gerard and Helena O’Connor and was a HGV mechanic and truck driver. Indeed, he was passionate about trucks from a very young age and always believed he would be a mechanic and truck driver, so that if his truck broke down, he could fix it himself. Patrick certainly fulfilled that dream.
Deceased is survived by his parents, Gerard and Helena; sister, Judith Cutler, Australia, and girlfriend, Lizzie Doogan, Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
The funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kingscourt, and burial took place afterwards in the adjoining graveyard, beside his brother, Gavin, who died on 4th June 2011, at the age of just 22.

 

Theresa McNamee, Kildalkey

Mrs Theresa McNamee, Cloneylogan, Kildalkey, who passed away on 15th November last, was a member of the Conlon family of Kilnagross, Trim. 
Her death occurred at Cavan General Hospital at the age of 64.
Deceased is survived by her husband, Thomas; sons, Anthony McNamee, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath; Tom McNamee, Ballinadrimna, Athboy, and Mark McNamee, London; daughters, Jacinta O’Sullivan, Athboy; Deirdre Lynch and Jacqueline Walsh, Delvin, and Miriam Kifca and Sarah McNamee, Cloneylogan, Kildalkey.
The funeral Mass took place in St Dympna’s Church, Kildalkey, with burial following in St Dympna’s Cemetery.