Pat was a hard-working family man who loved being outdoors
Wednesday March 03 2010
A VOID has been left in many lives with the passing of Pat Kelly from Marshalstown in the wake of a terrifying road accident.
Three weeks of waiting in dread ended last Thursday when the 64year-old father of four died in the Richmond intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital. His family had been keeping continuous vigil at his bedside in Dublin.
Pat worked for four decades at the mart on the Old Dublin Road in Enniscorthy. His popularity in the farming community and among his neighbours was reflected in the high turnout at Monday's funeral as mourners came from as far away as Cork to offer condolences to his widow Anne and other members of the family.
Pat Kelly was born in Kilmore but moved at a young age to Ballinahallin and spent the last 30 years in Marshalstown, with his wife, whom he married 38 years ago. He was a hard-working and well-liked member of staff at the mart where, as foreman, he stood out as the man in the white coat.
He contrived to retain the respect of all around him at work without ever losing friends. Away from work, Pat was a relaxed and loving father to his children, Gillian, Aisling, Patricia and Anna. He revelled in his house and garden, and was a man who enjoyed being out of doors, cutting the grass at the local school or walking with his dog. He contributed effectively and unobtrusively to the life of his parish. Those who ran the primary school, the community centre and the church all had good reason to appreciate his assistance.
When he left the mart a year ago, he enjoyed good health and appeared set for a long, happy retirement until the terrible collision on the N11. He had his wife at his side at the time but, while she escaped with barely a scratch, doctors at Wexford General were quick to transfer him to the care of head injury specialists. Despite the best of attention at Beaumont, he never recovered consciousness and his life finally ebbed away on Thursday.
His obsequies were attended by guards of honour provided by former colleagues at W.F.C. mart, by Marshalstown NS and by Coláiste Bride, where his youngest daughter is due to take the Leaving later this year. Mass at St. Joseph's church was celebrated by parish priest Father Danny McDonald with the assistance of several reverend colleagues, including Fr Paddy Cushen, Fr Denis Doyle and Fr Jim Nolan.
Interment afterwards was in the nearby cemetery. Pat Kelly is mourned by his wife Anne, by his four daughters and his eight grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by sons-in-law, by members of the Busher family – especially John, Anne, Caroline, Marie and Colette; by the Kelly family of Kilmore, especially Martina, Patricia and Philip. His death is the cause of much regret to other family members, to his fellow residents of Marshalstown, to his former workmates, customers and other friends.
A man who loved the simple things of life, Pat left this the world better for his presence in it.
