TRIBUTE TO MR PATSY HAYES, RIP

TRIBUTE TO MR PATSY HAYES, RIP

BALLYCASEY, KILDIMO,CO LIMERICK

August 16th 1943 / May 8th 2009


The death occurred in Cork University Hospital on May 8, 2009, of Mr Patsy Hayes of Ballycasey, Kildimo, following a short and unexpected illness. Patsy was born to William (Bill) and Elizabeth (nee Walsh), on August 16 1943, in Ballysteen, one of seven children. On moving to Kildimo at the age of nine, he resumed his education at the local school, now Kelletts Curtain Fabrics. Following his education, he worked locally on the land and on the building of the Cement works in Mungret. As a young man he emigrated to work in England and settled in Birmingham for twelve years where he worked in the motor manufacturing industry. The final illness of his mother prompted a change in his fortunes for when he returned in 1973, the year of her death, he met the young Anne O’Riordan from Askeaton, who at that time worked in Slattery’s. With the prompting of his father Bill who introduced him to Anne, a lasting bond was forged and marriage soon followed the year after. Their union was blessed with his devoted son Tony in 1985. On taking over the working of the home farm, he always worked away from home and there followed spells in Ferenka and Wyeth’s until a more lasting period in what was then IAWS, later Goulding Fertilisers, Askeaton, who were quick to spot his potential and elevated him to the post of foreman. He retired from this position in 2008 and planned much travelling and realised his ambition to visit the US. The late Patsy took an interest in all sporting occasions and would splash out on a bet for more important races like the Grand National or the Gold Cup. He enjoyed Irish music and could rattle the spoons and liked to sing a ballad when called upon. He was an avid reader of the press and was well informed on contemporary affairs as a result. Fr Donal McNamara the former P.P., was the main concelebrant at the funeral Mass on May 11, and was well qualified to preside over the ceremony as he had also assisted at Patsy and Anne’s wedding in Askeaton, when he was a curate in Kildimo. In his funeral homily, he paid tribute to his many qualities, including punctuality, hard work and good humour. He summed up these qualities in the words of the song, as one who, ‘walked tall, walked straight and looked the world right in the eye’. If Patsy was proud in heaven at the great outpouring of communal solidarity that his passing evinced, he could be justly proud at the tribute paid to him by his son Tony. At a time when the HSE is often the focus of much negative comment, Tony had only words of praise for the professionalism and human kindness they all received in all departments of Cork U.H. The family also benefited from their own medical personnel in the persons of Maireád Kelly and Liz and Sarah Hayes, who were constant companions during his last illness. Those neighbours and friends who participated in the arrangements following Patsy’s death are the best tribute to the man and the respect in which they held him. His passing leaves a void in the lives of his wife Anne and son Tony, with his brothers and sisters, former work colleagues, close neighbours and many friends. He is survived by his brothers, Michael in Ballycasey; William, Donegal; James, Cork and by sisters Mary Kelly, Adare; Kathleen Lynch, Cork; Birdie Carroll, Knockroe. A young sister Stasia predeceased him. Following his internment in Kildimo graveyard on Monday May 11th 2009 the mourners congregated at Patsy’s favourite haunt the Seven Sisters, in a last tribute to his memory.

I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn

Kildimo Burial Ground Mass



Mass will be celebrated in Kildimo Burial Ground


By

Very Rev. John Donworth PP


On


Tuesday July 21st 2009


At


7.30pm