Recent deaths 10-04-10

The death occurred peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on Tuesday of last week, 31st March, of Mrs Jennifer McGrath, Somerville House, Kentstown, Navan, wife of the late consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Joe McGrath. Her death came following a battle with illness. Aged 62, Mrs McGrath was a native of Yorkshire, England, and was a physiotherapy student when she met Joe McGrath, who was completing his medical training in the UK. The couple, who were to have a family of five, returned to Navan around 1970 on Mr McGrath's appointment as consultant county surgeon at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Jennifer McGrath became immersed in local organisations such as Kentstown ICA, Navan Swimming Club, and Navan Mental Health Association, St Mary's Choir, as well as the Fine Gael organisation. Brother-in-law, Paul McGrath, is a former FG TD for Westmeath. She worked as a physiotherapist in Beaumont Hospital for several years before transferring to Our Lady's in Navan. Mrs McGrath was very grateful for the care and treatment she received from namesake member of the surgical staff in Our Lady's Hospital during her recent illness, Joe McGrath, as well as consultant in the Mater Hospital, Bill Boyd, as is the family. Tragedy struck the family 12 years ago when only daughter, Orla, died in a road traffic accident, and Mr McGrath passed away in 2004. Two of the McGrath sons followed the family tradition of medicine, Sean, who is in general practice in Navan, and Anthony, an orthopaedic surgeon in London, while Conor and Andreas are also both London-based, working in finance. Mrs McGrath is also survived by her mother, Irene Wood, Yorkshire, daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The remains were received at St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, by Fr John McGrath, Columban Fathers, brother-in-law of the deceased, and Fr Declan Hurley, Adm, Navan; and the funeral ceremony was celebrated by Fr McGrath, assisted by Fr Gerry Rice, PP, Kilcloon, and Fr Dwayne Gavin, CC, Navan. Burial took place afterwards in Kentstown Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ Basil Curran, Rathfeigh Widespread regret was occasioned by the sudden death at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on 25th February last of Mr Basil Curran, Edoxtown, Tara. Mr Curran and his wife, Mary, moved to live at Edoxtown, on a holding which had belonged to his grandmother, Minnie (Cassidy) Curran, in 1957. Born in Mayo, he had previously lived at The Naul in north County Dublin, and was very active in farming organisations, particularly the Swords Farmers Club. He hunted with the Ward Union Staghounds and played rugby with the first team at the Lansdowne club. In the mid-1960s, deceased moved from farming into the heavy machinery business, supplying equipment to quarries and such businesses, and set up BMC Plant Sales, now run by his son, Basil. Mr Curran was also very interested in history and heritage, and was a member of Rathfeigh Historical Society. With the society, he was behind the erection of name stones on three roads at Rathfeigh, on the New Line, Borrowaddy and Macetown roads, as well as the stone outside Rathfeigh Church. Deceased was also very interested in environmental and development issues, and in recent years appeared on RTE's 'Questions and Answers' audience during the debate on the M3 motorway, as he disagreed with the way protesters were using the Hill of Tara in the campaign. Mr Curran passed away unexpectedly at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, shortly after taking ill at his home. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; family, Basil, Macetown, Tara; Marina, Argyll, Scotland; Patrick, Trim; Martin, Tymoole, Rathfeigh; Peter, Killarney, Co Kerry; Barbara, Naas, Co Kildare; brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his son, Thomas. The remains were received by Fr Joe Gleeson at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathfeigh, where the funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Thomas O'Mahony, PP, Skryne, with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ John Dolan, Oldcastle Mr John Dolan, Galmoystown, Dromone, Oldcastle, who died on 2nd March last, was a founder member of Moylagh GFC in 1947 and, at the time of his passing, was president of the club. Aged 92, the cattle dealer and haulier passed away at Maplecourt Nursing Home, Castlepollard. He was an avid GAA supporter, travelling to Croke Park on numerous occasions to cheer on his native Royal County. In the first glory years of Meath football, from 1949 to 1954, he often had up to 40 people travelling to Croke Park in the back of his lorry, with some of the stories from those bygone days now the stuff of legend. Mr Dolan's favourite players of the era were Paddy 'Hands' O'Brien and Jim Kearney. Deceased was also a follower of horse racing, and enjoyed a day at the races with his friend, the late Joe Hanlon. For many years, Mr Dolan attended Kells/Carnaross Mart on Mondays, Mullingar on Tuesdays, Delvin on Thursdays, and Trim on Fridays, and was regarded as an excellent judge of a bullock. He was predeceased by his wife, Peggy, in 1982; and is survived by sons, Sean, Brendan and Enda; daughters, Bernadette, Carmel, Mary and Dympna; brother, Christy; sons-in-law, Martin, Christy, John and Mel; daughters-in-law, Heather, Olivia and Mary; grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from Moylagh Church to Moylagh Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ Peter Dolan, Ardbraccan The death occurred on St Patrick's Day last, 17th March, of Mr Peter Dolan, Ardbraccan, Bohermeen, at his residence. A gardener, he had a great passion for Gaelic football, and won a championship medal with his club. Deceased is survived by his brothers and sisters, Michael, Boyne Hill, Navan; James, Connolly Grove, Navan; Patsy, Liscarton, Navan; Noel, Ongenstown, Navan; Margaret Quinn, Bellinter; Sean, Phoenixtown, Navan; Eileen Casserly, Allenstown and Bernard, Ongenstown. The funeral took place from St Ultan's Church, Bohermeen, to Dunderry Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ William Burke, Clonmellon The recent death occurred at Mullingar General Hospital of Mr William (Bill) Burke, 9 Cluain Mhor, Clonmellon, and formerly of Drewstown, Fordstown, Navan. He was 85. A native of Clonbern, Co Galway, he moved from there in 1950 and spent the remainder of his life farming in Meath. Mr Burke had a very keen interest in politics and was always a very kind and caring father and husband, as well as being a very obliging neighbour. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Deceased is survived by his wife, Bridie; four daughters, brother, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and other relatives. He was predeceased by his daughter, Brenda, in 1981. The funeral took place from Clonmellon Church to the local cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ Pat Geraghty, Navan The death occurred on Thursday last, 1st April, of Mr Patrick Geraghty, Dublin Road, Navan, who for almost thirty years was proprietor of the Royal Meath Bar on Watergate Street in the town. Aged 78, he passed away peacefully after a short illness. Mr Geraghty was a native of Kilcock and having spent over a decade in the Merchant Navy, worked in bar management at the Kestrel Pub in Walkinstown, Dublin. The family bought the Royal Meath in 1968, and he and his late wife, Kay, were proprietors there until their move to the Dublin Road in 1995. The pub, which had currently been in the hands of the Brazil and McCabe families, is currently run by their son, Peter. Mr Geraghty enjoyed golfing with the Oriel Licensed Vintners Golfing Society, and was a member of Royal Tara Golf Club. A quiet, unassuming man, he was also a great storyteller and is remembered as a loving father who was very caring to family and friends. He was predeceased by Kay in August 2008. Mr Geraghty is survived by his son Peter, Navan, and Malvina; daughter, Michelle Ni Choileain, Ennistown, Kilmessan; son-in-law, Ruairi; grandchildren, Ruairi Og and Katie; brothers, Michael and Liam; sisters, Marion Brocker and Nuala Connor; extended family, relatives and friends A funeral prayer service took place in St Mary's Church, Navan, on Saturday afternoon, followed by burial in St Coca's Cemetery, Kilcock.