Rugby club pays tribute to photographer and yearbook founder, Austin McPartlin
Navan Rugby Club has paid tribute to stalwart member, Austin McPartlin, who died this morning (Thursday).
Club photographer and yearbook founder and editor, Austin was a member who embraced the club community initially as a parent watching his daughter Sarah play for the club's Girls & Women's sides, but then grew to become someone who week in, week out supported all of the clubs teams from youths to senior adults, the club stated.
Regularly he would be seen on the touchlines in his Navan hoodie, with his camera in hand ready to catch the action on the pitch or in the clubhouse for presentations. His photography also often brought him travelling on the team bus to away AIL matches.
“Austin was also the driving force of the initial Navan Girls Rugby Magazine which came out 2016/17 and evolved to become the Navan Rugby Football Yearbook covering all activities in the club from 2017/18.
“He also was involved in the clubhouse music sessions which he led with gusto and with patience for the rest of the band! Today Navan RFC has lost a friend to many and the clubhouse in Balreask Old will be the lesser for it.
“A great storyteller, musician, performer, and all-round top human being whose absence will be keenly felt throughout the NRFC family.To Pauline his wife, Sarah and the rest of the extended McPartlin family as well as Austin's many friends, Navan Rugby Football Club extends its deepest sympathies. A minute's silence will take place before the Navan U18 Girls Leinster Cup semi-final against Wicklow at Balreask Old at noon on Saturday afternoon.”
Formerly of Donnycarney, Dublin and Donard, Wicklow, Austin died peacefully at his home in Athlumney Abbey, Johnstown.
Predeceased by his parents Mary and Austin, he is survived by Austin his wife, Pauline, daughters Gráinne, Amy, Lynne, Meghan and Sarah, nine grandchildren, brother Noel, sons-in-law Bill and Hunter, relatives and friends.
Austin is reposing at his residence on Friday from 5pm to 8pm. Removal on Saturday at 1.30pm to arrive at the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown for Funeral Mass at 2pm.
Cremation on Monday in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin at 1pm.