Recent Deaths 190108
MR J FORAN, NAVAN
A LENGTHY link with sporting Navan was severed in mid-December with the death at Our Lady's Hospital of Mr John (Jack) Foran (81), Russell Court, Navan.
A native of Antylstown, Navan, he had served for over 45 years as foreman of the town's racecourse and was a lifelong devotee of Meath GAA and Simonstown Gaels GFC. He organised the Navan Racecourse Supporters' Club in the early 1970s, which through the Troytown Chase, ensured the track's success.
He also worked in the Galway, Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Bellewstown, Laytown, Dundalk and Punchestown offices on race days.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Eithne; sons, Austin (Balbriggan) and Niall (Navan); daughters, Valerie (Navan) and Miriam (Ardee); sons-in-law and daughter-in-law; sister, Mrs Betty Flood (Flower Hill, Navan); grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives.
The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan.
Mr E Clarke, Kilmainhamwood
THERE was much sadness in Kilmainhamwood and district at the start of the New Year with the news of the passing of Mr Eugene Clarke (58), Ballinaclose, at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. A staff member at Gypsum Ltd, he was son of the late Patrick and Elizabeth Clarke.
Deceased is survived by his brothers, Tom, Michael and John; sisters, Mrs Theresa Stapley, Mrs Margaret Loughran, Mrs Mary Monaghan, Mrs Pauline Garcia and Mrs Rose Jackson; in-laws, nephews, nieces, grandnephew and grandnieces.
His remains were removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, where the funeral Mass was celebrated prior to interment in the adjoining cemetery.
MRS N HALPIN, OLDCASTLE
THERE was considerable shock and sadness in late November occasioned by the death in Cavan General Hospital of Mrs Nancy Halpin (68) of Fennor Upper, Oldcastle. The eldest of five Brady children of Kilnacrott, Ballyjamesduff, she had become ill suddenly at her own home earlier that day.
A much-loved wife, mother and grandmother, she was a very good neighbour to many and was a tireless behind-the-scenes worker for Oldcastle GFC, of which her husband, Leo, is chairman. She was also a member of the local ICA guild and a keen gardener.
Deceased is survived in addition to her husband, Leo, by her daughters, Ann, Pauline and Carmel; son, Brendan; 10 grandchildren and other relatives.
Her remains were removed to St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, where the funeral Mass was concelebrated by Very Rev Ray Kelly, PP, and Very Rev Eugene Conlon, PP, prior to burial in the local cemetery.
Mrs M Killoran-Ruggiero, Dunshaughlin & Italy
The death occurred in Italy recently of Mrs Molly Killoran-Ruggiero, formerly of Rosetown, Dunshaughlin.
She is survived by her husband, Emanuele; daughters, Rosemary and Tiziana; son-in-law, Eric; grandchild; brothers, Jimmy and Paddy; sister, Catherine Byrne; brother-in-law, Dermot; sisters-in-law, Rita and Marie; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 19th November last.
Mr F Loughran, Navan and London
A COMMEMORATIVE Mass well be celebrated in Johnstown Church, Navan tomorrow (Thursday) at 1pm for the late Mr Frank Loughran (68) whose death occurred in London on New Year's Day last.
The deceased was a native of Brews Hill and was predeceased by his wife Aida (nee Finnegan, Navan) six years ago. The late Mr Loughran first moved to Dublin to work and then to London 14 years ago, where the funeral obsequies and cremation were carried out. He is survived by his sons, Vernon, Olan, Greg, Ian and Donogh and daughter Elaine, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
MR P ROWE, KELLS AND ENGLAND
THERE was much sadness in Kells at the recent passing in England of Mr Patrick Rowe (76), son of the late Philip and Rose Rowe of Cloncat. He emigrated in 1956 and he resided in London and made visits home over many years.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Olive; son, John; daughter, Jacqueline; brothers, Bernard (London), Philip (Mayo), Jim (Blanchardstown), John (Kilskyre) and Thomas (Kells); sister Bunty (London), relatives and friends.
His remains were removed to the Church of the Five Precious Wounds, Stonebridge, Watford where Requiem Mass was celebrated prior to interment at Carpender Park Lawns Cemetery.
BOBBY BEASLEY, JOCKEY
RACING aficionados in Meath will recall fondly the name of Bobby
Beasley, who died last week, aged 72.
The jockey rode Roddy Owen, owned by Lord Fingall of Killeen, to victory
in the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was the first of the jockey's two
Gold Cups, and he also won the Champion Hurdle and Aintree Grand
National.
London-born, Henry Robert Beasley grew up in Wexford, and died in a
hospice in Hastings, England, on Wednesday last, from cancer. From a
family with a remarkable racing pedigree, his first win as an amateur
was on Touared, in a Leopardstown bumper, in 1952, aged 16, and his
first as a professional was three years later, on board Brenair II, in
Naas. He was Irish amateur champion in 1953 and champion jumps jockey in
1958, '59 and '60.
It was his win in the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup that catapulted him to
attention. He had previously won a Troytown, at Navan, on Roddy Owen, in
1956. The horse's owner, Lord Fingall, who was the last in the line of
the Fingalls of Killeen Castle, was a keen owner and had himself been a
successful amateur jockey. Other successful winners he owned included No
Other and Anson.
Mr Beasley went on to win the 1960 Champion Hurdle on Another Flash and
the following year's Grand National on Nicholas Silver. Although he
continued to enjoy big race successes, including the 1963 Mackelson Gold
Cup on Richard of Bordeaux, and the 1966 Daily Express Triumph Hurdle on
Black Ice, a combination of dreadful falls, weight problems and alcohol
addiction forced his retirement. He was very open about his battle with
alcoholism, and successfully fought it with the help of Alcoholics
Anonymous, and to prove it, went on to own both a pub and a vineyard.
Mr Beasley also returned to the saddle, with Pat Taaffe's stable, and in
1972 won the Irish Sweeps Hurdle and Scottish Champion Hurdle on Captain
Christy. He taught Captain Christy, a difficult horse, to jump fences,
and the pair won six chases, including the famous 1974 Gold Cup in
Cheltenham, beating The Dikler and creating one of the most astonishing
comebacks in riding history.
When he retired for the second time, he took up training for a spell,
and since 1992, worked with Linda Jewell, with whom he was assistant
trainer for several years. Described as one of the most stylish and
strongest jockeys to ride over fences since World War II, his story was
chronicled in his autobiography, 'Second Start'.
Mr Beasley had a family of four with his wife, Linda. There will be a
thanksgiving service for his life at St Nicholas Church, Sandhurst,
Kent, on Friday, 25th January, at 2pm. Cremation is private. Donations
can be made to St Michael's Hospice or the Injured Jockeys fund through
funeral directors J Perigoe & Son, on 0044-1580-713-636.
MRS M K GODFREY, DROGHEDA
DULEEK native, Mrs Mary Kate Godfrey, the mother of two former Mayors of Drogheda, died at her home in Drogheda on Saturday. She was Lady Mayoress of Drogheda on three occasions, accompanying her eldest son, Frank, on his mayoral duties.
Originally a member of the O'Connor family of Keenogue, Duleek, she was married to the late William Godfrey, a native of Killarney and they lived in the Yellowbatter estate in Drogheda. He died in 2001.
Her eldest son, Frank was Mayor of Drogheda in 1992, 1994 and 2000 and she was his Lady Mayoress on each of these occasions. He is also a former chairman of Louth County Council. Her youngest son, Malachy, was Mayor of Drogheda on two occasions.
During her term of office as Lady Mayoress, she met many dignitaries including Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II and Prince Charles.
She was the first female grand marshall of the Drogheda St Patrick's Day parade in 1995 and was a member of the ICA, the Drogheda Garden Society, the Drogheda 800 committee and the old Drogheda Society.
A composed and dignified lady, she had a passion for painting and loved the countryside and her garden.
She is survived her family of eight, Frank, Thomas, Fergus, Ann, Eugene, Mary, Malachy and Bernadette; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great- grandchildren; sisters, Bridie and Clare; sister-in-law; brother-in-law; nephews and nieces.
The removal of her remains took place on Monday evening to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for the funeral on Tuesday, with burial afterwards in St Peter's Cemetery.
Among the mourners were Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, leader of the Senate, Senator Donie Cassidy, Deputy Seamus Kirk, chairman of Louth County Council, Jimmy Mulroy, Mayor of Drogheda, Anthony O'Donoghue, and other public representatives and officials.
Many voluntary organisations attended including representatives of the Boyne Navigation Group, St Patrick's Day Committee and the local Cystic Fibrosis Association.