There was heartbreak and sadness for a number of families who suffered bereavements over the Christmas holidays.
The untimely death of Anthony Morrison who lived at Ballinlovane, Ballyduff Upper, was received with a great sense of shock and sadness. Formerly of Ballydorgan, Fermoy, Anthony passed away at Mercy University Hospital in Cork after a brief illness.
Well known in his native Fermoy area and in Ballyduff where he had made his home, news of his sudden death on Wednesday, December 18th, caused widespread sadness. He was in his early ’60s. He is survived and mourned by his wife Tess (nee Hannon), son Tony and daughter Olive. His daughter is due to be married this week.
Anthony was the son of the late John and Josephine and brother of the late Catherine, Jim, John and Johanna. As well as his wife, son and daughter, his daughter-in-law Eilish and daughter’s fiancee Ger, he is mourned by his grandchildren John, David and Lizzie, brothers and sisters Tom, Patsy, David, Christy, Teresa (O’Brien), Donal, Lizzie (O’Brien), Joseph, Noreen (Murphy), Francis and Finbarr, as well as brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
He was buried in St Michael’s Cemetery in Ballyduff on Friday, December 20th following Requiem Mass at St Michael’s Church. The esteem in which the late Anthony and his family are held and the community’s sense of loss, was demonstrated in the huge crowd which turned out for removal on Thursday night and funeral Mass and burial the next day.
PADRAIG FENTON
25-year-old Padraig Fenton died peacefully at home in Deerpark, Castlelyons on Christmas Eve. Well known and highly regarded throughout the community for his cheerful and friendly demeanour, Padraig, who was wheelchair-bound, didn’t let his physical challenges dampen his enthusiasm for life. A huge hurling fan, Padraig kept score at all of his local club’s matches down through the years.
He is deeply mourned by his parents, Pat and Michele and brother Ronan and his doting grandmothers Mary and Frances, as well as uncles, aunts, cousins and his devoted carers, particularly Tracy and Alma. He will also be missed by his friends and colleagues at Enable Ireland Adult Services in East Gate, Cork. His family were fully of praise for the care and attention Padraig received through the Enable Ireland services and asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations go to them.
After reposing at his home over Christmas, Padraig’s remains were removed to the Church of St Nicholas in Castlelyons on Friday last for Requiem Mass, after which he was interred in Castlelyons cemetery. Attendance at both the removal and funeral Mass and burial reflected the fondness held for the young man and the deep sense of loss caused by his early death.
It was said after his death that the hurling-mad young man ‘is now playing hurling with the angels’.
BILLY WALSH
Another family who suffered the death of a loved one over Christmas was the Walsh family of Ballynoe. William (Billy) Walsh, a former shopkeeper and newsagent, died on December 23rd.
The well known businessman was a founding member in 1946 of St Catherines GAA Cub and he served his club well as a player, selector and at administrative level. He was treasurer from 1951 until 1967.
In addition to his popular shop, Billy worked on the family farm which included an egg distribution business. He had a hackney licence and also acted as a local peace commissioner for over forty years.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen (nee Colbert), daughters Joan (Norris), Anne and Carmel and sons Denis and Mike. He had a great love and interest in horses and was a founder member of the Ballynoe Point-to-Point committee. His views were eagerly anticipated and much respected.
He was buried in Conna new cemetery. Again his funeral demonstrated the popularity of the man in his local community, the esteem in which he and his family were held and the widespread sadness at his passing.
