The late Monsignor John P Shine, who died on Saturday last following a lengthy illness. He was 91. PHOTO: With thanks to Holy Cross National School

The late Maurice Nugent, laid to rest on Wednesday last, relaxing with his beloved pipe following his 100th birthday in August 2015.

Maurice Nugent laid to rest in his 102nd year

When Maurice Nugent’s remains were laid to rest in Portlaw on New Year’s Eve, a part of the County Waterford village he knew better than anyone else over the past century was buried with him.

During a year in which Brown Street, where he was born, reared and spent most of his life, has lost several elderly residents, the loss of its most senior citizen has been all the more sadly felt.

A kind neighbour, a skilled craftsman, a gentleman of great intellect, Maurice was steeped in the history of one of 19th Century Ireland’s greatest social and industrial success stories: the development of Portlaw, catalysed by the philanthropic and visionary Malcomsons.

Maurice certainly made the most of his years, be it in his childhood home on Number 20, Brown Street, or at Number 10, where he made a home with his late and beloved wife, Mary. Maurice Nugent was, as Father Richard O’Halloran aptly put it, “Portlaw’s oldest friend”. The combination of his physical frame and affable nature made Maurice, who was born on August 23rd, 1915, a gentle giant in the Tannery Town.

And while there has been great sadness since Maurice’s passing at the Mooncoin Residential Care Centre on Thursday last, December 29th, those who gathered at Saint Patrick’s Church on Saturday last did so with genuine, heartfelt thanks to honour a man who lived simply, fully and well.

The story of Maurice Nugent’s life is woven into the modern history of Portlaw, which his friend, Father Ned Hassett, with whom he shared a great love of the area’s heritage, brilliantly encapsulated during his Homily on Saturday last.

“If Maurice were here talking today, he’d most likely stand and say something like this, as he often did: there used to be a large circular candelabra hanging here (just in front of the altar), and another one further out, to light the central area of the church,” said Fr Ned.

“There were wooden railings in a gothic style separating the centre from the women’s and men’s side aisles, with a raised stand in the middle for an oil lamp under each arch (it was Maurice that removed them, first those in the last arch on either side at the back to allow people to cross from side to side, and later he was instructed to take them all out). All that remains now are the tell-tale marks in the granite pillars where they were anchored.

“He would describe the ivy leaf creeping around the edges of the arches, and the stencilled saints over the pillars between the arches facing the centre. He talked about the Stations of the Cross and how they had been housed in more formal gothic frames with ornate pieces of wood extending upwards on the left, right and centre, as well as they hanging outwards as opposed to now being attached flat to the wall.

“Red and black earthen tiles, worn from generations of worshippers walking in and out. Pulpit projecting straight out, as opposed to hugging the pillar now. Wooden gothic altar rails, predated the current marble ones. Wooden boards preceded the present parquet on the sanctuary.

“He knew the Conways who donated the silver sanctuary lamp in April 1917, and happily greeted their descendants when they visited from the States some years ago. He’d have approved of the recent rewiring and new lighting: he always liked to see maintenance and upgrading. He wired his own house, describing how he did very simply. ‘Ah, I studied it up, and saw that there was nothing to it!’”

Apart from a brief period living in Waterford with his city-born wife Mary, and the time recently spent both in hospital and at Mooncoin, Maurice lived his entire life on Brown Street.

“With minimal alteration, Maurice preserved so much of the original features of those 1850s housing, in Number 10, as he liked to refer to it,” Fr Hassett continued.

Maurice and Mary Nugent, pictured on their wedding day in 1945.

“He often told of how he had to stand up for himself to get that house from Barlow, the Tannery manager. He, the only one out of 50 houses, kept the decorative barge board. He stuck with the coal fire for heating. The narrow kitchen at the back. Even the original bathroom was maintained, except he moved the door from the yard to the dividing wall from the kitchen. To think that those houses had sanitation and gas lighting 160 years ago. He would point to the wall up over the fireplace where the gas-pipe came in. All a by-product of the Cotton Mill. The roof, again using a by-product of the Mill, calico and tar was a third of the cost of a traditional slate roof.”

Maurice, as Kieran Foley wrote about when reporting of his 100th birthday, was a man of great energy. He drove up to the age of 94. He enjoyed an airplane flight over Portlaw to mark his 92nd birthday!

Indeed, beyond his 90th year, it was not an odd sight to see Maurice on the felt roof of Number 10, with his son Pat (or other relatives or neighbours), carrying out repairs. He was a physical marvel. He thrived on being busy.

Maurice was among the first employed at the new Tannery in the mid-1930s, and as Fr Hassett pointed out, he would have known men who had worked in the Cotton Mill, which closed in 1876 – all of 141 years ago.
Indeed his father Tom (another great craftsman), who also lived into his 90s, came to Portlaw to work for the Malcomsons at Mayfield House.

Fr Ned also humorously recalled Maurice’s role in the celebrations which marked the 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Church in the autumn of 2008.

“It was pointed out to me that (the statue of) poor St Patrick (to the left of the altar in the church) only had a hand and a half. I knew that (the late) Billy Delaney used to be carving rams’ horns as decorative walking sticks, and I asked himself and Maurice would they tackle the statue. As Maurice said, ‘I was an awful chancer.’

“I brought Patrick over in my car, stretched across the back seat, to Maurice’s garage cum workshop. One day I was summoned. ‘What do you think?’ I was asked. To be totally honest, the new hand was a good bit longer than the old one, the left one. So, I had to spit it out: ‘Is it a bit long in the middle?’ I furtively asked! ‘I was thinking that myself, but I was wondering would you spot it!’ said Maurice. So, he shortened it a bit.

“It was by accident he got the right colour, he said. We had him back in position, but Maurice wasn’t pleased. He had put gold paint on the edges of the mitre, halo and his staff, but St Ita needed to be similarly painted to match. He was over here in the freezing cold getting it right. We actually had him up on the credence table, which is on wheels, to get him level with Patrick, for a photograph. If Pat or Margaret knew the half of what we got up to, they’d have killed us!”

Fr Ned told mourners that he “was enthralled by Maurice’s bottomless pit of knowledge, from what he had seen and heard, about this most intriguing place and people of Portlaw. Under a cloud of pipe smoke and in front of a red hot coal fire, like many others, I spent night after night in the front room soaking up stories of Old Portlaw over here, and modern or Industrial Portlaw across the Clodagh.”

Maurice loved stories and history, and he shared both with hundreds if not thousands of grateful ears, from that small front sitting room in Brown Street.

Maurice Nugent was predeceased by his wife Mary, and is survived by daughter Margaret, son Pat, son-in-law Vincent, daughter-in-law Karen, grandchildren Claire and David, great grandchildren Ciara, Aisling and Emily, his carers Mark, Bridie and Tom, his neighbours on Brown Street and the people of Portlaw, alive and departed, who admired and loved him. May he Rest In Peace.

The late Michael Frisby.

Michael Frisby, who hailed from Mullinavat but had been residing in Waterford city for some years, passed away recently. Michael was a former employee of Clover Meats Ltd, with a long service to the company, where he enjoyed working with colleagues from South Kilkenny and Waterford till its closure in the early 1980’s.

In his young years with other members of his family (his parents the late John and Nell Frisby, Killeen), he played with Mullinavat hurling and football teams, lining out in the 1960’s with brothers John and Philip. He passed away in University Hospital Waterford. He was aged 82 and his passing was a great shock to his family of brothers and sisters and family relatives. Michael Frisby’s roots in South Kilkenny were long established, where his family have been for generations.

One of his pastimes other than the ones mentioned was the playing of the game of darts when Murphy’s of Mullinavat was operating as a licensed premises, and he loved the playing of darts there and also in John Aylwards of John Street. In fact, Michael Frisby had a set of darts always on the ready right up to his sudden departure from this life.

Michael, had sustained injuries at Plunkett Railway Station Waterford, where he had been involved in an accident while crossing the road. He had been walking from visiting his brother Philip in Ferrybank. After the accident, he was removed to UHW, where he passed away the following day.

The passing of Michael Frisby recalls a 1961 Mullinavat hurling team which he played with and which also included his brothers Johnny and Philip (who also played on Kilkenny minor teams). Pictured L-R Back Row: Willie Carroll (rip), Philly O Neill, Seamus Foskin, Tommy Reddy, Richie Carroll, Jim Conway, Milo Foskin( rip), Matt Woods (rip), Eddie Freyne, Philip Frisby, Johnny Walsh (rip). Front Row: Paddy Hendrick (rip), Ollie Aldridge, Ned Delahunty, Seamus Sutton (rip), Denny Duggan (rip), Michael Frisby (recently deceased), Michael Carroll,(rip) Paddy Hoban, Johnny Frisby (rip).

Moving to Waterford, he kept up and increased his interest in greyhound racing. His residence in the Ballytruckle area in the city of Waterford gave him easy access to the Kilcohan Park, greyhound racing stadium. He held ownership of dogs, some of them jointly with his brother Jimmy of Coolnahaw for many years.

He was a brisk walker, always using his day to actively go about his business, Michael’s life was captured nicely and most sincerely by his sister Sr. Hannah in the company of family friends and relatives in St Beacons Church Mullinavat, when she addressed the congregation, during the celebration of the requiem mass or the repose of his soul.

His funeral and burial were large and representative. There were representatives from the business; farming, political and sporting bodies and organisation were present, as were former work colleagues, a large circle of family relatives, neighbours and friends. Michael was a an interesting character, he loved his family and kept in touch with them all, following his nephews and nieces progress going through education and life.

He left warm, nice and kind memories, Michael will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved in, namely his brothers, Philip, Jimmy, Noel and his sisters Sr. Hannah, Mollie (Duggan) and Enie (Aylward), Michael’s brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends will mourn his loss.

Michel Frisby was laid to rest at St. Beacon’s Church, Mullinavat on Saturday, November 19.

His Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr. W. Dalton PP Callan (cousin) assisted by Fr. L. Barron PP Mullinavat, Fr. E. Aylward SSCC Dublin (cousin), Fr. L. Cassin PP Hugginstown, Fr. F. Farrell PP Windgap and Fr. Brian Flynn PE Kilmacow.

His nephews and nieces took an active part in the Liturgy with Maria Aylward and Jonathan Frisby as readers, Noel Og Frisby sang the psalm while Prayers of the Faithful were said by Aileen Aylward Dowling, Paul Aylward and Emma Frisby.

Music was provided by Mullinavat choir with Kathleen Walsh as soloist and Sr. Hannah Frisby (sister) as organist.

His death came as a great shock to all his family and friends and they are consoled and thankful to all who attended his funeral obsequies.

He was buried in the company of family members and a large attendance of mourners. To all of them we extend our sympathy. Ar dheis dé go Raibh a anam dilis. Michael Frisby,1934-2016 (SM)

The late Seamus Lynch

Despite the fact that he was well into his 97th year, the death of Séamus Lynch Knockroe, Passage East unexpectedly on Saturday November 19th 2016 came as a shock and a surprise to his family and many friends not alone in his native place but all over Ireland and outside it too.

Just getting ready to watch the Ireland/ New Zealand Rugby game on TV in the presence of his devoted and loyal wife Mona of sixty one years, he slipped off peacefully.

Séamus was a man for all seasons and a man of many talents with a marvellous positive outlook on life and an equally magnificent appetite for work, manually and mentally, and blessed with great health right up to the very end. In a life that was lived to the very full he also found time for his family, for the many organisations he served and for the social side.

His remains were removed from Thompson’s Funeral Home, Waterford on Tuesday November 22nd to Crooke Church and his Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev Fr Brian Power PP was held on the Wednesday morning at which his son Brendan and a friend of the family covered the life and times of Séamus. Fr Power, in a lovely homily, said that there was an old saying that ‘hard work never killed anyone’ and it fitted Seamus to perfection.

Brendan’s Address
Son Brendan delivered a very moving tribute to his father and it went as follows: “In his near century of life, Seamus’s zest for living was surely his most idiosyncratic and enduring quality. As you all know he was madly gregarious, and loved nothing more than a gathering of people, large or small, and whether race meetings or card games, soccer or hurling matches, committee meetings or cattle marts, he threw himself into everything at the drop of a hat.

As a family growing up we could always tell when one of these events was brewing as he dashed about the house humming one of his vintage 1930s tunes, his favourite was surely the mildly risqué “Miss Brown”. In spite of both parents dying in his early teenage years, as well as a third brother Denis, he and Eddie were nurtured by their generous (and childless) Aunt Cis, who lived at Portlaw and sent them to Waterpark. She remained a strong and charming presence into our early childhood.

From the start Dad had a passionate interest in the Community. He started out as a County Councillor in the 50s (heading the Poll in the Tramore Electoral Area in 1955 and didn’t seek re-election in 1960) and went on to manage and take over his uncle Rich’s transport business, delving into haulage in the 70s, land re-development in the 80s and property in the 90s.

He continued throughout to farm in his own determined if unconventional way. He had the Irishman’s passion for the land, and loved his cattle above all, continuing to visit his herd daily, at Knockroe or Dromina, well into his 90s.

His career was nothing if not unpredictable and there were considerable ups and downs, not that we ever knew of them.

But there was always time for spontaneous outings, which as children took two distinct forms: country shows, horse fairs or the hunt, with the late, great, Nicky Donnelly – perhaps Dad’s greatest friend and a remarkable raconteur – or his brother Bobby, which embraced the perhaps obvious combination of fried breakfasts, ice-cream, smoke–filled cars and of course whiskey, whereas those with my mother were firmly veered towards the cultural, culminating in a choice hotel such as Cahir House or Lawlor’s of Dungarvan.

Stark contrasts were a feature of our upbringing, and they tend to be rather addictive. Dad was truly passionate about racing, he liked to bet, he liked horses and even had a costly stab at breeding, but it was the conviviality of the meetings that gave him the greatest of pleasures, uppermost is what must amount to several years of depleting flagons of Cork Gin in the Owners and Trainers Bar at Tramore with another great friend Billy Chapman.

Then there were annual holidays at the Galway races with Donal and Mary O’Connor, and later many now legendary trips to Cheltenham, not least in 1986 when Charmian Hill won the Gold Cup with Dawn Run.

Devoted to his five nephews, having taken many exotic business-related trips with Edward, the one at which we all wish we had been the proverbial fly on the wall is undoubtedly his 2002 trip to Japan and Korea with Pat and his 15-year old son for the World Cup. I almost forgot to mention golf, which he took up at 70 and quit at 90! He joined the club at Faithlegg House and though I am not a sportsman I think those who are would agree it was an excruciating experience to watch Dad’s game.

Around the same period he was involved in the revival of the Waterford Show, and was deeply involved with the Woodstown Fair. As to cards, it was poker or 30s weekly at The Saratoga in Woodstown with a small circle formed by my aunt Addie, with whom he played for over 40 years, the last game only a year or so ago. His lifelong reading matter was restricted to The Field, The Farmers Journal, The Munster Express and The Irish Times, but his granddaughter Ciara tells me that she once caught him breezing through her copy of Hello! Perhaps his most superlative quality as a father was to encourage risk-taking in his children, usually to our mother’s horror, and this embraced travel to any far-flung corner of the world – so the 80s saw me headed for India, Ita for the Amazon, Orla for trekking in Nepal and Brian to Ghana. Geraldine however stuck her first choice, the south of France.

Once I formed my own antiques dealership twenty years ago he took particular interest in different aspects of the trade, presciently encouraging me to do deals in America. He also had a mischievous side which could work in your favour or not, and this was tried on all of his children including honing Brian’s diplomatic skills and innate tolerance in taking over the business from a highly reluctant nonagenarian.

Few would deny that Dad had an enviable way of getting away with murder! In their sixty-one years of marriage, it was our mother’s strength of character, wise judgment and generosity of spirit that enabled Dad to achieve so much and, in recent years, through her care and vigilance to retain his quality of life for so very long. Dad was not a man for mottoes but one he did quote was: You die if you worry, you die if you don’t, so why worry? As a true optimist, I think we would all agree Seamus certainly lived his life accordingly.”

Anecdotes and Memories
At the request of the family, Fintan Walsh, a native of Passage East and a long time friend of the deceased, in another tribute spoke of the Séamus he knew. He opened by saying that Seamus was a Hero in his eyes due in the main to two things, his marvellous positive outlook on life and his tremendous appetite for work and said when you met him you usually came away in a much better frame of mind. He said he knew him as a farmer, threshing machine operator with his late friend Pierre Murphy, haulage contractor, businessman, card player, sportsman, a man of wit and of course he will always be remembered for being the Man at the Helm for so long of the very successful Suirway Bus Company which he inherited from his uncle Rich Flynn who set up the business in 1928 and which is now a major company with his son Brian now the driving force.

Fintan said that whenever the name of Séamus Lynch was mentioned, three great workers of his came to mind, the late Jimmy Hanrahan (Jimmy the Bus) a loyal driver with him , the late Percy Hutchinson who started with him as a child, then mid life left him to drive in Bell Ferry but like the Prodigal Sion returned to work with Seamus for the rest of his life, and finally Willie Elliott who has unfortunately been in ill health for some time. All three gave dedicated service to Rich Flynn also and all were self made mechanics and needed to be in that era.

Touching on the humorous side of the deceased which his uncle Rich had in abundance also Fintan gave a number of instances of his travels and quick fire wit, a court case which saw him charged with haulage of cattle 1 1/2 miles outside his licence area and of a set too with a neighbour over water and an accusation by that neighbour that Séamus had cut the tops of his corn with a scissors.

He mentioned the many social events they were part of together where Séamus gave it 100 % and said his card games with his two great friends Seán O’Keeffe and the late Seán O’Donovan could at times be explosive if some partner made an error, male or female.

Just a few months ago he said the Parish had a wonderful 1916 Commemoration Day and Séamus was there in the procession and very much part of it. In conclusion Fintan said that while it was a time of sadness for his wife Mona in particular and her family it was also a celebration of a life lived to the full and that like all of us human beings – without exception – he would have had his little failings, imperfections etc but his many strengths far outweighed these.

He hoped Séamus in his new life would get even more fulfilment than he had in his life on earth. After his mass his burial took place in Crooke Cemetery. At both his removal and Requiem mass mourners were present in large numbers from many walks of life .He is survived by his wife Mona, sons Brendan and Brian, daughters, Geraldine Ita and Órla grandchildren, sons in law, daughters in law sisters in law, nephews and nieces and many other relatives. Sympathy is extended to all

The late Eoin Butler, synonymous with De La Salle FC, who passed away over the weekend. | Photo: Noel Browne

It is with heavy hearts and sad spirits that we received the news that Eoin lost his battle with illness which first and foremost took him from a loving and close family, leaving a devastating void which we can only imagine.

As a club we have suffered some very sad and tragic losses, many in the recent past who are still very much in our thoughts but today we lost someone who exemplified all that a football club we would hope to represent.

Eoin was a man who De La Salle underpinned and reinforced all elements of a football club and particularly one for whom schoolboy football in such a high priority, which as a man he had in abundance – energy, positivity, warmth, enthusiasm and downright decency.

From the Academy to probably every age group and grade up to youths level with the help of Derek, Tony and Nicky among others, Eoin was a guiding and dedicated influence on so many young players.

There are plenty of budding Mourinhos and Klopps out there (maybe too many) but while Eoin could hold his own in any coaching or tactical discussion his greatest strength was his ability to connect and interact with players of all ages and maybe most importantly abilities.

Too often football concentrates on rewards only the strongest, quickest and best but Eoin’s priority was always to ensure all players, no matter what their ability level, felt part of De La Salle FC.

One of the many testaments to Eoin’s influence on young players was in the past season where De La Salle fielded their first youth team in a number of seasons. Players for various reasons had left the club where they had “cut their footballing teeth” were keen to return on the understanding that Eoin would be involved in the set-up.

Seventeen-year-olds are not easily kidded because they knew a good man when they saw him. De La Salle will continue as a club but with a massive void that Eoin’s passing has left.

The greatest tribute we can pay to ‘Burkey’ is to reinforce the standard that he set at all levels in the club and we will strive to do that to the best of our abilities.

To those who feel Eoin’s passing greatest, his wife Deirdre, sons Craig and Shane and daughter Rachel (all of whom have and continue to be heavily involved and great assets in the club) and all of Eoin’s family we send our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies. Rest in peace, friend.

The late Mixie Haberlin of Dunkitt, Kilmacow.

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we record the passing of Michael ‘Mixie’ Haberlin, Dunkitt, Kilmacow, County Kilkenny. Michael passed away on Monday. October 24th surrounded by his loving wife Eileen and family at his home in Dunkitt.

Michael reposed at his residence on Tuesday and Wednesday and he was laid to rest on Thursday October 27th in glorious sunshine in St Senan’s Church, Kilmacow. Mixie’s popularity was reflected by the large attendance both at his home and on the morning of his burial.

Mixie was the son of the late Annie and Michael Haberlin, late of The Mountain Road, Treanaree, Slieverue, County Kilkenny.

Mixie was very proud of his Mountain Road roots; many a drive was taken by him down to Slieverue to see his home house and surroundings and there was always a special place in his heart for the Mountain Road.

Educated in Ringville School up until the age of 14, Mixie took up employment with local farmers in the Slieverue and Glenmore areas. It was at a dance in Slieverue that he met his wife Eileen (nee Costello).

Following their marriage on a snowy February 22nd in 1955, they lived on the Mountain Road for a short time before taking up residence in Dunkitt. There, they had five children: Teresa, Michael Jnr, (RIP) Breda, Dermot and Valerie.

In the year 1952, Mixie took up employment in Clover Meats where he worked up until it closed its gates in 1984.

There, he made many great friends. Some years later, Mixie was employed on the Kilmacow FAS scheme where he painted and decorated the newly refurbished Rosedale Residential Care Home.

He was a great family man and a much loved husband, father and grandfather. He was a very gentle and kind hearted man, always helped out his family in any way he could.

A keen gardener, he was happiest when out cutting lawns and hedges and he took great pride in his flowers and plants. Mixie loved to socialise at weekends with close friends and relations at the Clover Centre where they had many a good night dancing.

Throughout Mixie’s life he took many a trip to Montreal, Canada to visit family members.
Mixie’s grandchildren played a huge part in his life. He loved to sit and chat to them, telling them stories of his childhood days where many a giggle could be heard. He watched with great interest when the Kilkenny hurling team celebrated their victories down through the years and he had a great love of hurling.

Mixie was the youngest brother of the late Richard (Dick) Haberlin, Kilmacthomas and the Late Mary Power, Couse, Waterford.

Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr O’Connor and Fr Muldowney. The readings were shared by his granddaughter, Rebecca and Lorraine Foley who travelled from Canada. Prayers of the Faithful were read by his grandsons, Glen and Stephen and his niece Ann Haberlin and Bill Dunphy who travelled from England.

Symbols of Mixie’s life were carried to the altar by his daughters Breda and Valerie. Gifts of bread and wine were carried by his daughter in law Marie, granddaughters Avril and Ruth and his Dermot gave a eulogy of his Dad’s life.

Before Mixie was carried to his final resting place by his son Dermot, sons in law, Pat and Brian, nephew Michael and two grandsons Ian and Stephen, his favourite song, “The Galway Shawl” was sung by Seamus Carroll.

Organist John Callaghan and soloist Megan Butler provided beautiful music.
Mixie was laid to rest beside his son, Michael Jnr, who died on June 8th, 1989. He is survived by his loving wife Eileen, son Dermot, daughters, Teresa, Breda and Valerie, grandchildren, Ian, Avril, Rebecca, Stephen, Ruth and Glen, sons in law, Pat and Brian, daughter in law, Marie, nieces and nephews, sisters in law and brothers in law, relatives and friends.

Mixie’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on his 88th birthday on Saturday, December 10th in St Senan’s Church, Kilmacow at 6pm. May he Rest In Peace.

The late John Whittle, who passed away on October 26th.

The death occurred on Wednesday, October 26th of John Whittle, of Ard na Groí, Tramore. His untimely passing was greeted with shock and great sadness by the communities of Tramore, Dunmore East and his native Waterford, and indeed by his many friends and business colleagues nationwide and beyond.

Many tributes have been paid to John, but common amongst them all was an acknowledgement that John was a true gentleman.

Quiet and unassuming, John had, throughout his life, extended a hand of friendship, and responded with kindness and courtesy to all he met.

John was the son of the late John and Margot Whittle. His early years were spent in Marian Park and Cleaboy. As a youth, John played soccer with Bohemians FC and with Waterford Youths and showed much promise.
After first level education at Saint Declan’s Primary School and De La Salle College, John attended university in Dublin.

Upon his return to Waterford, John joined his father in the family business of MJ Flanagan Fish Merchants where he continued to work, with his brother Brendan, until his untimely death.
Always interested in new ideas and innovation, John continued to expand the business. He was always conscious that any good enterprise was dependant on the people who worked in it, and was always grateful to the staff of Flanagan’s for their support.

If kindness and courtesy could be said to characterise his personal life, then integrity could best describe his business life.
John met Dolores Ivory in the early 1970s and they married in Killea Church 1973. Unfortunately, Dolores was struck with a severe and debilitating illness. Throughout her illness, John nursed and cared for Dolores in a kind and loving manner. Sadly, Dolores died in 1998.

John subsequently had the good fortune to meet Anne-Laure. After some time, John and Anne-Laure (Aine) married and eventually settled in Tramore.
John was overjoyed when twin girls, Eloise and Agnes were born in 2006, and for the next 10 years they became the focus of his life. They brought joy and happiness to his life, which was richly deserved.

Like everything else in his life, John faced his illness with courage and resilience, ever grateful for the care he received at University Hospital Waterford, at the Whitfield Clinic and from the palliative care team who attended him at home.

John’s remains were removed to the Holy Cross Church Tramore on Friday, October 28th, where Father Shane O’Neill presided, with burial the following day. There also was a large attendance of family, friends and representatives of the fishing community in attendance.

Aine’s parents and sisters travelled from France to attend the funeral service, while members of the Dunmore East Golf Club formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the church.

John is survived by his wife Aine, daughters Agnes and Eloise, brother Brendan, sister Anne Schnittger, mother and father in-law, nieces, nephew, relatives and friends, including his great friend Des Purcell. May he Rest in Peace.