Obituaries 09-06-2012

Con O'Dwyer, Dunshaughlin Mr Con O'Dwyer, Mooretown, Ratoath, who died on 19th May last, was a member of a prominent Dunshaughlin GAA family. Aged 64, he passed away at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, after an illness of less than a week. Mr O'Dwyer was a member of two significant football championship winning teams with Dunshaughlin, the 1967 junior title winners, and a decade later, the intermediate champions. His early football was with Dunshaughlin National School and the Vocational School, and the 1967 team included his brothers, Michael, Tommy, the late Johnny and the late Davy, who was captain. As winners of the Junior A final, they met Skryne, winners of the Junior B final, for the outright title, and the Black and Ambers annihilated their neighbours by 5-3 to 0-4. As well as setting up Brian O'Sullivan for one of his three goals, Con O'Dwyer also netted the ball himself. A decade later, the half forward partnership of Con and Paddy O'Dwyer and Noel Curran, the club's All Ireland medallist of '67, had moved up to the full forward line. They met Nobber in the Intermediate final of 1977. Deceased was instrumental in Dunshaughlin's road to that final, scoring five points over Navan O'Mahonys, and two goals against Donaghmore in the semi-final. His point in the final was described as "a beautiful effort, kicked with the left foot from 45 yards out on the right wing." Mr O'Dwyer was also greatly involved in the famous Dunshaughlin carnivals of the 1960s, an annual entertainment event which went on for a week in the summer to raise funds for the club development on the Drumree Road. He was a member of the committee which oversaw the far seeing development of the Dunshaughlin GAA pitch, which opened in 1967. Deceased was club chairman in 1978, and carried out two stints as secretary, including in GAA centenary year 1984. His son, Neil, was to assume the same role a quarter of a century later. His working life began in Clery's of O'Connell Street, where he went to serve his time in the trade after school, working in the drapery department, and for the best part of his time there, in the sports department. He was a popular contact with many sports clubs around the county, and often brought home jerseys from the capital for collection by local clubs. During his time there, he was a member of two Kickham Cup winning teams, an inter-firm football competition run between Dublin businesses and stores. It was also at Clery's that Con O'Dwyer met his wife, Patricia Nolan from Rathfarnham, and they were wed in 1977. From the mid to late 1990s, the couple ran their own shoe store in Dunshaughlin, and deceased then worked with Spicers Bakery, delivering to stores in east Meath and north county Dublin, until that was wound down by Spicers last year. In more recent years, Mr O'Dwyer had been enjoying his umpiring duties with Dunshaughlin GAA referee, Frank Gallogly, travelling to fixtures throughout the county. He was also a horseracing fan, and enjoyed following the local hunt. Deceased was a regular attendee at Meath senior football matches. He is survived by his wife, Pat; son, Neil; daughter, Ruth; brothers, Tommy and Paddy, both Dunshaughlin, and Michael, Castleknock; sisters, Sheila, Dunshaughlin, and Nora Lenehan, Duleek; uncles, aunts, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Patrick and Sechnall, Dunshaughlin, to the local cemetery. A month's mind Mass takes place in Dunshaughlin Church on Saturday 30th June, at 10am. __________________________________________________________ John Hegarty, Navan and Oristown There was widespread shock and sadness following the death of Mr John Hegarty, The Bog Road, Oristown, Kells, at his home on 9th May last. Aged 42, he was a native of St Mary's Park, Navan. Deceased worked in Bank of Ireland for 15 years. His first branch was Trim, where he was dearly loved by staff and customers. He then moved to Navan as assistant manager, and later to Dunboyne as manager. Mr Hegarty then left the banking industry and became a taxi driver in Navan, a job which he loved. No journey was too long or too short, and he was always there to lend a hand with shopping bags, suitcases or a buggy. He was a lifelong supporter of Nottingham Forest FC and enjoyed a trip to see them play in February of this year. An avid GAA fan, he loved to watch the Meath team and also Simonstown, and since his move to Oristown, supported Wolfe Tones, especially when his son, Ross, was playing hurling with them. Deceased will be remembered as a dedicated and caring person, borne out by the large crowds that attended his wake, funeral Mass and burial. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; son, Ross; daughter, Katie; parents, Michael and Patsy Hegarty, St Mary's Park; brothers, Pat and Thomas; sisters, Anne O'Connor and Catherine Kelly; mother-in-law, Ronnie Dowdall, Cannistown; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews; relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from St Catherine's Church, Oristown, to Cannistown Cemetery. The chief celebrant was Fr John O'Brien, who performed deceased's marriage ceremony to Margaret Dowdall 19 years ago; assisted by Fr Michael Sheeran and Fr Michael McGrath. A month's memory Mass takes place on Sunday 10th June, at 10am, in St Catherine's Church, Oristown. The family thanks all those who made donations to Aware in John Hegarty's memory. _________________________________________________________ Fr Seán Anthony Dunne, Trim and Dalgan Park Trim native Fr Sean A Dunne, whose funeral took place at Dalgan Park, Navan, last week, was a former editor of the Irish 'Far East', and as a journalism and cinematography graduate, produced many films and photographs of missionary work. Seán Anthony Dunne was born in Emmet Street, Trim on 6th May 1926, son of the late James and Rosemary Dunne. Educated at the Convent of Mercy NS, Trim Model School and St Finian's College, Mullingar, he entered the Society of St Columban, Dalgan Park in 1945. He was ordained priest on 21st December 1951. Over the next five years, he did post-graduate studies in journalism and cinematography at Marquette University, Denver College of Journalism and the University of Southern California. He was appointed to Korea to do photojournalism from 1958 to 1960. He also served a NCWC correspondent. In Korea he produced 'Path to Glory', a highly rated documentary film on the history of the Korean Church and the role played by the Columbans in the 1940s and 1950s. He spent 1960 in Hollywood completing the movie. There followed a stint in Ireland working with Radharc in the production of films with a missionary focus for television. From 1963 to 1975, Fr Dunne was assigned to the Surbic Bay/Olongapo City areas in the Philippines. He was engaged in pastoral work while he continued to write and take photographs. A two-year stint on promotion in England followed. Then from 1977 to 1986 he served as editor of the Irish 'Far East'. Once released from this task he undertook a long safari that brought him to Brazil, Chile, Peru, Belize and Jamaica. In the course of this journey he took many high-quality slides and photographs, wrote innumerable articles, and encouraged Columbans to write. From 1990 to 1996 he did pastoral work in Monivea, Co Galway, in the diocese of Tuam. Then he became chaplain at St Raphael's, Celbridge, Co Kildare from 1997 to 2003, when he retired to Dalgan Park. Seán Anthony Dunne was an excellent photographer and journalist. He had a delightful, open, childlike capacity for making friends and he nurtured an extraordinary number of those friendships by a lifetime of letter-writing and telephone calls. He loved to talk and to share from the vast fund of stories gathered during his long and varied career. It was particularly poignant therefore that surgery on his larynx made speech so difficult for him in recent years. He bore his long, often painful illness with patience and deep faith. During his confinement at Dalgan, many people travelled from abroad to visit him, particularly those whose lives he had affected in different ways. He died in Dalgan on Friday 25th May. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Vaughan and Jill Rochford, both Trim; brother-in-law, Ray; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, Columban Confreres and his many friends in Ireland, Korea, USA and The Philippines. At the funeral, a moving recollection of Fr Dunne was delivered by Sr Redempta Twomey. She paraphrased Kipling, saying he could 'walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.' "For example, in Olongopo in the Philippines, where he was based in the sixties, he could hob-nob with the US Army elite and be too a friend and listener to the poor, to children, to outcasts. And who is to say who needed him most? Never a great linguist, he was nonetheless a superb communicator. As one of his colleagues said, "He knew how to speak from the heart." "A man of great generosity, good humour and gregarious to boot, he made innumerable friends over the years; you could say he had a genius for making friends. His unfeigned, even child-like interest and empathy endeared him to people of different cultures, ages, outlook. And from the volume of correspondence, phone calls and visits he made, I think he certainly took to heart Samuel Johnson's dictum: "One should keep one's friendships in constant repair." She said that throughout his final illness, he welcomed friends, those near at hand and the many who travelled across oceans to be with him, Koreans, Filipinos, Americans. "These last years when cancer robbed him of his voice and each day his once robust and vital body was diminished before our eyes, we saw his spirit grow as he struggled with great courage and dignity to meet each blow that befell him," Sr Redepmta said. The chief celebrant was Fr Pat Raleigh, SSC, accompanied by Fr Bernard Mulkerins and Fr Pat Crowley, both Columbans, Fr Sean Henry, PP, Trim and Fr Paddy Gleeson, a native of Trim, and Fr Michael Molloy a native of Monivea, Co Galway, with many other Columban Fathers present. Fr Frank O'Kelly conducted the prayers at the graveside in the Community Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Joseph Ging, Ballivor The passing of Mr Joseph (Joe) Ging, Glack, Ballivor, left a void not only within his family, but in the greater Ballivor community, in which he was deeply involved. Mr Ging passed away, aged 79, on 18th May last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, and the large attendance at his home in Glack over the following days, and at both his removal and funeral in Ballivor, was a demonstration of his popularity across the county and beyond. In the week of Ballivor Horse Show, it is fitting to remember the late Mr Ging, on whose farm the show was held for the first 28 years of its existence, before moving nearer the village. He was a founder member of the show, now a national event on the showjumping calendar, and treasurer for 42 years. In a tribute, the show committee said: "We all remember Joe's cheery welcome for everybody - competitors, attendance, committee and his friends in Wilders Amusements - Joe made a big effort to welcome everybody who came through the gates personally. This is no small way helped with the success and growth of the show and to its reputation for friendship and hospitality. "The show was not just two days for Joe - it was a full 12 months of commitment," the committee tribute adds. "It would be impossible to list all of Joe's work and contributions of time, energy, good will and commitment to the show, which ensured is smooth running each year." For most of those 28 years, the jumps and equipment were stored in Joe Ging's haybarn. Ballivor Community Council said that Joe Ging will be sadly missed by all involved with it as he had given so many years and so much time to the community. "He would always come with his books and his bills and made sure that everyone got paid on time," they said. "Bingo on a Saturday night will not be the same without his devotion. Joe would always go to get the prizes for the Norman Pratt vintage car rally that he loved to see come to the village every year. To Joe's family, we can only say that he will be missed very much by all and his hard work has not gone unnoticed." Mr Ging was devoted to the Church in Ballivor. He was a member of Ballivor Parish Council when the present church and parochial house renovations took place. His commitment went back to Fr Kiernan's time when a lot of building and development took place. Deceased was always on hand to work at the carnival, whist drives and other fundraising that went on. He was a Minister of the Eucharist and collector in the church, and also served on the board of management of Ballivor National School. A lifelong member and secretary of the Ballivor Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Mr Ging was holder of a Fr Cullen medal for 60 years' membership. Her organised social and ballroom dancing competitions for years in Ballivor Hall, and had a special disco and party every year for the Confirmation children, and gave them their Probation Pins. Deceased also carried out a lot of work for the South Meath branch of the Pioneers, selling tickets and organising venues and social events, and was a member of the Diocesan Council. At the time of his passing, Joe Ging was a vice president of Ballivor Gaelic Football Club. A lifelong member, he was one of the club's most loyal and dedicated supporters, always willing and ready to help out with fundraising and any other job he was asked to do. Balivor GFC said: "He will be sadly missed by all our members, both young and old, as when anyone spoke of Joe Ging, it was with a smile on their face as he only evoked goodness and friendliness." He was a true Royal supporter and up to recent years, attended every Meath game. "Joe was always first to order and collect his tickets for these games," the club said. "If Croke Park was the venue, he always had a full picnic basket to enjoy in the grounds of Clonliffe College before and after the match. The memories of his outright willingness to help everyone will live on for many years." Son of the late James and Mary Ging, deceased is survived by his wife, Camilla; son, James; daughter, Lorraine; sister, Carmel Burke; son-in-law, Paraig Gill; daughter-in-law, Caroline; brother-in-law, Frank; sister-in-law, Rosanna; grandchildren; nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, to Killaconnighan Cemtery, concelebrated by Fr Oliver Devine, PP, Fr Kearney, Fr Mollin, Fr Whittaker, Fr Sandham, Fr Kenny and Fr Timmy.