Obituaries 16-04-2011

There was widespread sadness following the death of Mr Thomas Brennan, Parnell Park, Navan, at his home on 12th March last. Aged 42, deceased was son of the late Andy and Margo Brennan. He worked as a chairmaker in the furniture industry for many years. Mr Brennan was a very quiet and inoffensive man who enjoyed a few pints and a bit of craic with friends. He will be sadly missed and always loved by his brothers, sisters, and extended family. Deceased is survived by his brothers, Michael and Phil, Navan, and Andrew, Australia; sisters, Martina, Navan and Eleanor, Mullagh; sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, on 15th March. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 17th April in St Mary's Church at 1pm, the date of deceased's birthday. __________________________________________________________ John Casey, Dunshaughlin and Maynooth The burial took place in Dunshaughlin Cemetery on Saturday last of Mr John Casey, a native of Dunshaughlin, who lived at Copperalley, Moyglare, Maynooth. Mr Casey's father was a garda in the village, and the family lived at Main Street, opposite the Arch Bar. Deceased played football with Dunshaughlin, and was a member of the team that won the junior football championship in 1967, with teammates including the O'Dwyer brothers, and the Meath All-Ireland winning medallist of 1967, Noel Curran. He was a midfielder, and along with Noel Curran, played on the Meath team against Kildare at the opening of the GAA grounds in Dunshaughlin in 1967, when he came on as a substitute to score three points. In the final of the junior 'A' championship in 1967, Dunshaughlin defeated Athboy 0-8 to 0-5 in a tough game at Pairc Tailteann, according to the Dunshaughlin GAA history 'Black and Amber'. Val Dowd was adjudged man of the match by the Meath Chronicle, and John Casey, then the team's brightest young star, dominated midfield. The junior final proper was against B champions, Skryne, and John Casey "played a blinder", scoring two points as well. Deceased was a member of the intermediate team in 1968 which had to play Dunderry four times in the championship before being defeated by Bohermeen in the final. Mr Casey was also an exceptional handballer. In 1972, alongside Paddy Burke, he won the Meath Senior Doubles for the Dunshaughlin club. Deceased worked in O'Connor's Jewellers in Harolds Cross, Dublin, in his early years, and for the past quarter of a century, worked on campus security at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Aged 63, he passed away on Thursday last at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross. Predeceased by his wife, Mary, he is survived by his daughter, Maeve; son, John; grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Maynooth, to Dunshaughlin Cemetery. __________________________________________________________ Dr Colm Irwin, Navan The death occurred on Sunday 27th March last of Dr Colm Irwin, dental surgeon, of Springfield Glen, Navan. His passing was peaceful in the loving care of the staff of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A native of Duleek, Dr Irwin was born in 1929 to Patrick and Ita Irwin. He was educated in the Cistercian College, Roscrea, followed by University College, Dublin, where he studies dentistry, qualifying in 1952. After a short period in Nottingham, deceased returned to his native county in 1954 to set up his dental practice to the rear of the Arcadian Cafe, Trimgate Street, Navan. In 1967, Dr Irwin relocated his practice and family to Bedford Place. He enjoyed a long and happy career in private practice and was joined by his daughter, Geraldine Honan in 1995. He retired at the age of 70 in 2000. Deceased had many interests, especially horseracing, Gaelic games, bridge, golf, and the Irish language. He was a former president of Navan Rotary Club and a long-standing member of the Knights of St Columbanus. Swimming gave him great pleasure, particularly after his retirement, although this was curtailed in latter years due to his illness. He maintained a lifelong contact with the Cistercians, finding great comfort there, especially in recent times. His love of racing brought him to the Galway Races in 1955, where he met Neula Hanlon, whom he married in 1957. Together, they had five children, with eight grandchildren, during their 54 years of married life. Dr Irwin is survived by his wife, Neula; family, Paul, John, Conor, Louise, and Geraldine; daughters- and son-in-law, Marie, Paula, Mary-Louise, and Justin; grandchildren, David, Alan, Rosanna, Liam, Colm, Sean Kevin, and Claire; sister, Ida; extended family and friends. The funeral Mass took place on Wednesday 30th March at St Mary's Church, Navan, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. The month's memory Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 7th May at 6pm in St Mary's Church. __________________________________________________________ Raymond Ratty, Navan Navan O'Mahony's GAA club suffered a sad loss when Mr Raymond Ratty passed away suddenly on 24th February last, at 46 years of age. A lifelong club member, Raymond Ratty's passion for the club was understandable, as he was brought up in a family steeped in O'Mahony's tradition. His late father, Harry, won seven SFC medals with O'Mahony's, while his brother, Colm, won five. Unfortunately, Raymond was unable to take a physically active part in sport due to a heart condition he had from birth. Nevertheless, he still found a way to contribute to some of the club's successes, by providing a very welcome 'cup of tea' for the players each night after training, a task he carried out for up to 15 years. He also served as a selector on junior teams for a number of years. His other great pastimes were horse and greyhound racing. A great student of the form book, his face was regularly spotted at the racetracks, especially as he went to cheer on his own dogs, wherever they ran. His other great love was, of course, his family. He always enjoyed the time he spent in the company of his nephews, Harry and Ciaran, and his nieces, Kelly and Clodagh. Indeed, his sad passing occurred on Ciaran's sixth birthday, as he waited to bring him to the toy store to choose a present. Deceased is remembered as a quiet man who bore his cross in life with a smile and lived his life to the full. He was predeceased by his father, Harry, and is survived by his mother, May; brother, Colm; sister, Edel Ryan; grandmother, Ann Flanagan; brother-in-law, Vincent; nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Large crowds attended his home, removal and funeral mass at St Mary's Church, Navan, was celebrated by Fr Dwayne Gavin. Members of Navan O'Mahony's provided a guard of honour as the remains were taken to St Mary's Cemetery, for burial. __________________________________________________________ Brendan Tonge, Dunshaughlin The sudden passing of Mr Brendan Tonge, Red Bog, Dunshaughlin, on Thursday last, caused widespread shock and sadness. Mr Tonge (61), died unexpectedly as he and his wife, Patricia, were preparing to go on holiday abroad. Retired from the Electricty Supply Board, where he worked for 44 years, Mr Tonge was a native of Blanchardstown. His late father was electrician at James Connolly Mermorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, where the family lived on the grounds, and deceased was a member of St Brigid's GAA club, where he played football to senior level, as well as hurling. Mr Tonge was a lifelong supporter of Dublin football, and was present in Croke Park two Saturdays ago for the Dublin-Down game, with his brothers. He was also a very strong supporter of Dunshaughlin GFC, a club with which his son, David, achieved success, including intermediate and the three-in-a-row senior championship success of a decade ago, and served on the committee with Dunshaughlin for a period. Mr Tonge also enjoyed motorbiking, and classic cars, and was a familiar figure on his bicycle around the area. He had a huge interest in archaeology, history and the outdoors life, and biking trips took him to historical sites around the world. He also attended the TT Isle of Man races. Deceased is survived by his wife, Patricia; son, David; daughter, Michelle; brothers, Kevin and Noel; sisters, Kathleen and Bernie; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; relatives and friends. He was predeceased by brother, Eamonn. The funeral took place from the Church of St Patrick and St Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, to Templekieran Cemetery, Skryne. The funeral Mass was celebrated by family friend Fr Tony Egan, OSA, of St John's Priory, Dublin, assisted by Fr Joe Clavin, PP, Dunshaughlin. __________________________________________________________ Alan Quigley, Kells The sudden passing of Mr Alan Michael Philip Quigley, Ballybeg, Kells, at Naas General Hospital, on 24th March last, was the source of widespread shock and sadness. Aged 48 years, he is survived by his partner, Debbie Abbs; parents, Thomas and Jean Quigley; sons, Alan and Gary Quigley; brothers, David and Peter Quigley; sister, Sinead Quigley; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Christ the King, Cortown, to Cortown Cemetery.