Woods, Jim
April 10, 2009
The huge crowd that gathered to bid farewell to the late Jim Woods from Bennekerry remembered him as a gentleman of the community, of the GAA and of his everyday life. The 65-year old passed away recently after a long illness that did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm for his family and his wide variety of interests. He was well-known and respected in GAA circles, having spent a huge section of his life involved with both his club Palatine and also at county level.
Jim was born in Johnstown and he married the love of his life Mary Woods, nee O'Neill, in 1964. The couple would have been married 45 years on the day of Jim's burial. They moved to Bennekerry in 1979 where they reared a wonderful family of seven children. Tragedy would strike the close-knit Woods family with the loss of two beloved sons, Seamus in 1975 and Niall in 1982.
The Palatine clubman was known in the locality as being gifted with his hands. He worked in Neville's fixing machinery and then moved to Armour Salmon at the Sugar Factory, before finishing his working life at Red Mills. Around the locality of Bennekerry he was often called upon to fix the machinery of local farmers and he proved to be invaluable in this role.
At home, he had two old tractors which he completely stripped down and built back up to pristine condition. Even in the midst of his illness, he spent time working on his old Fords. At Jim's funeral mass, his interest was represented by a model tractor that was placed at the altar.
But Jim Woods is perhaps best known inside the world of Carlow GAA. He served with distinction as chairman of the club for 20 years. He played a major role in the development of the old pitch and clubhouse and he will always be remembered as a proper clubman. Last year, to honour his years of service, the club made his honorary president.
After finishing his stint as chairman, he became heavily involved in the juvenile scene and began working with the U12s and U14s of Palatine. Last year's minor success will have come as a sweet reward to the man who shaped those players in their youth.
He was asked to present the medals to the victorious minor squad at last year's Palatine dinner dance and, despite his illness, he said that if he had to crawl to the dinner dance he was going to make it. And make it he did - and the crowd rightfully gave him a standing ovation.
His family remember a quiet man but a father who would always be ready to talk. They remember a man who never complained throughout his illness and who they readily cared for themselves in his final months. Over the years, he was heavily involved with John Browne in the Fine Gael party and election campaigns and it was an undertaking to which he dearly looked forward.
In the final few months of his life, Jim devoted his time to his vegetable patch. It became a local joke that if you wanted any vegetables you went to Jim and he would provide you with the fruits of his labour.
To the community of Bennekerry and to his many friends and loving family, Jim Woods will be sorely missed. The Woods family would like to thank the community of Bennekerry and beyond for coming out in droves to pay their respects to a wonderful father and husband.
He is mourned by his wife Mary, his sons John, Pat, Adrian and Dave and his daughter Siobhan O'Reilly from Thomastown. Jim is predeceased by his two sons Seamus , who died when he was eight in 1975, and Niall, who was five years old in 1982. Jim will be deeply missed by his mother Brigid Archibold, his brother Sean and his sisters Ann O'Brien (Maganey) and Brigid Kealy (Ballycrogue) and Betty Coughlan from Dublin.
Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm dilis.
- The Nationalist, 10th April 2009
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