Obituaries 28th December 2013

Fr David Cahill SDB, Warrenstown

 The death occurred on 6th December last of Fr David Cahill SDB, Salesian House, Warrenstown, Drumree. Fr Cahill died peacefully, aged 89, at Elm Hall Nursing Home, Celbridge, Co Kildare.

Fr Dave Cahill was born in Inchebawn, Templeglantine, Co Limerick, on 1st October 1924, made his first profession on 8th September 1951 in Burwash, and was ordained in Melchet Court on 3rd July 1960.

In his own meticulous hand, and with typical cheerfulness, Fr Dave once wrote: ‘Having left primary school at sixteen, I worked full time on the home farm before continuing the Aspirantate in Pallaskenry on September 20th, 1946, a day to remember.’

He spent a year in Pallaskenry and then transferred to Ballinakill, where he took six subjects at O Level, Senior Cambridge in 1948 and Higher Schools in 1950.

Love of study characterised his life and he was to gain A Level (Oxford) in Religious Knowledge, a Licentiate in Theology from the Lateran University (Rome), a Degree in Agricultural Science from UCD, a Masters in Education from Loydee University (Chicago), not to mention a Certificate in Elocution and Speech Training.

In his novitiate in Beckford (1950-51) he spent much time on the farm, worked in the poultry runs in Shrigley (‘51-’52), and managed a poultry enterprise in Ingersley the following year. He spent a year in Warrenstown, about which he wrote: ‘Here I failed to impress Fr Hanna who deported me to Blaisdon in early September ‘54!’

In Blaisdon he did the traditional job of teacher and assistant. He did his theology studies in Melchet Court and after ordination went as Socius or assistant to the novice master Fr Michael Lindsay.

After a year in Rome, he was again assistant to the novices, this time in Warrenstown (1962-65).

He studied his Bachelor of Agricultural Science in UCD from 1966 to 1971 and kept contact with his classmates over the years, and spent five years in Pallaskenry, before a sabbatical year in Maynooth (1976-77). He returned for what proved to be his final period in Warrenstown, all the time helping out in various parishes and filling in as temporary curate in Mullingar, Glin, Granagh and Ballingarry. He assisted in neighbouring parishes to Warrenstown, including Dunsany and Dunshaughlin, over the years.

Fr Dave died peacefully on 6th December in Elm Hall Nursing Home, Celbridge, having celebrated his 89th birthday the previous month. He was the last of his family. His sister Mary (Sr Thomas), and brothers Daniel, Johnny, Joe and Pat had gone before him. He is survived by his Salesian Confreres, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Following Mass in St Martin’s Church, Culmullen, Fr Cahill’s remains were removed to the Salesian College Chapel, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick for Requiem Mass, with burial afterwards in the community cemetery.

Tony Hagan, Kilmainhamwood

 

There was widespread sadness following the death of Tony Hagan, of Cornenagh, Kilmainhamwood. Tony was 84 years old when he passed away on 28th November, at St Joseph’s Nursing Home, Trim.

Originally from Corraheeran, Kilmainhamwood, Tony moved to Cornenagh when he was three years old, where he and his brother Michael were raised by their cousin Bridget and husband Pat Donnelly after the death of their mother. Tony had five siblings, Michael, James, Margaret, Patsy and Mary, and their father was not able to look after them all.

As a young man, he helped out on his cousin’s farm and country shop and cycled to toewn for provisions for the shop. He also enjoyed helping the neighbours. He was a very quiet, friendly man, and a good neighbour as well as a great uncle to his four nieces and two nephews. He was well liked in the parish, and enjoyed going to Moynalty Steam Threshing every year.

He moved to Kilmainhamwood retirement village where he lived for four years, before moving to St Joseph’s Nuring Home in Trim.

Predeceased by his siblings, Tony is survived by his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends. His funeral Mass took place in the Sacred Heart Church, Kilmainhamwood, followed by burial in Kingscourt cemetery.  

Johnny Smith, Kells

 The untimely death of one of Kells best known and much respected gentlemen, John (Johnny) Smith of Kenlis Crescent, occurred peacefully at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, on 2nd December last.

Deceased took a very active role in many aspects of the life of the parish and the community of Kells. He worked in the former shoe factory in Kells and also was a post man with Kells post office. Johnny had a very long and distinguished lifetime service to the Fire Service in Meath and held the position as station captain until his retirement. He was honoured by the Fire Service and the State for outstanding bravery in saving the lives of a number of people.

Johnny was a loyal supporter of many sporting organisations and played football for the local Drumbaragh football club.

He also played handball with Kells Handball Club and spent many years as a member of Kells Silver Band. He was a devoted Catholic and a lifelong member of Kells Pioneer Association. He took an active role in fundraising for St Colmcille’s Church and was a winner in the annual Tidy Towns competitions. The respect in which Johnny was held was expressed by the large attendance at his wake, removal and funeral Mass. Family and friends travelled from many parts of the world to pay their respects to a much loved gentleman.

His remains were escorted with firemen’s honours as Fire Service members past and present escorted his remains from his family home to St Colmcille’s Church and the following day once again the fireman who risked his life on so many occasions was given full Fire Service honours as officers from stations throughout the county escorted his remains from the church.

The handing over of the Tricolour by Officer Gerard McManus to Johnny’s wife, Betty was a moving tribute for one who served the State with great bravery. There were also a number of other guards of honour in attendance to mark Johnny’s vast contribution to the community. In his homily, Fr Liam Malone CC spoke of Johnny’s service to his community, his parish and the state.

He said Johnny was a great family man and lived his life to the full and expressed his sympathy of the parish to Johnny’s wife and family on their great loss. The sacred music at the funeral Mass and removal was preformed beautifully by Kells senior choir under the direction of Br Frank, and Sr Claire and John Grant sang. The readings, prayers of the faithful were carried out by Johnny’s family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Freddy, Stephen, Mark; daughters, Audrey, Margaret; brothers, Stephen, Michael, Noel; sisters, Nancy, Pam, Marie, June; grandchildren, nephews, nieces and in-laws. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Stephen and Margaret; baby son, Joseph, and brother, Freddy.

 

Anne Hamilton, Dunboyne

The death occurred suddenly on 4th December last of Anne Hamilton, of Hamwood in Dunboyne, which has been the seat of the Hamilton family since 1769.

Deceased, who was 86, was wife of the late Major Charles Hamilton. She represented the family at a function in Farmleigh House last year honouring the Irish team at the 1948 Olympics in London. A relative, Letitia Hamilton, was the only Irish medal-winner at those Games, for her painting of a scene at the Meath Hunt Point-to-Point races. The 1948 Games was the last that featured the painting and art category.

Anne Hamilton was born Anne Spicer in Wiltshire, England. Her father, Ralph Spicer, had married Mary Graham from Castlesize, near Sallins in Kildare. Spicer was a World War I veteran, and saw also saw action in India and South Africa.

The family lived at Spye Park near Bromham in Wiltshire since 1855. The Grahams were originally from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, involved in the linen industry.

Anne and her siblings holidays at their grandparents’ place at Sallins every summer, and to escape the rationing and austerity England in the years following World War II, her mother moved them to Carnew in Wicklow.

In 1958, Anne married Charles Hamilton, who had served in World War II. He was a farm estate manager and they lived in Galway for a period before returning to Dunboyne in 1963 following the death of Charles’ father, who was the land agent at Carton House. Charles also managed the Slane Castle estate for a period.

At Hamwood, they were involved in bloodstock breeding and a purebred Charolais herd. The gardens were also a great treasure and open to the public.

In an interview for the Irish Life and Lore Collection at South Dublin Libraries, Anne Hamilton was critical of how the Land Commission had broken up large estates and the manner in which they allowed fine houses to decay.

In recent years, she continued to open the gardens and house at Dunboyne to the public.

Predeceased by her husband, Anne Hamilton is survived by her son, Charles, London, and Annabel, Paris, and her sister in Cork. She was predeceased in December 2009 by her brother, Simon, in Spye Park. The funeral service took place at St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Dunboyne, followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard.

 

Lila Lynch, Bective

 There was much sadness following the peaceful death of Lila (Elizabeth) Lynch, Bective, Kilmessan, on 16th November last at Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Trim, aged 91 years. Deceased was originally from Robinstown where she lived with her parents Joseph and Kate Sheridan and sister Bridie, and moved to Bective, Kilmessan when she married Pat Lynch from Skryne.

They ran a successful pub and grocery store. Pat enjoyed farming also. The couple had many happy years and memories there while rearing their six children. Pat died in 1985, aged 73 years. Lila was a respected member of the community and church.

She took part in many different community activities over the years. She was a founding member over 50 years ago of Bective ICA and was involved in the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society. In her later years she enjoyed playing whist and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Lila is suvived by her family, Michael, Bective, Joseph, Glasnevin, Dublin, Padraig, North Carolina, USA, Kay Hatton, Boardsmill, Trim, Carmel Leonard, New Inn, Tipperary and Oliver Lynch, Blackrock, Dublin, her 18 grandchildren and sister Bridie, Woodlands Nursing Home, Navan.

The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan, to the adjoining cemetery.