Seamus Hearns was a great community worker, and will be sadly missed

The people of Killeshin are in mourning for perhaps their greatest community worker, Seamus Hearns, who died on Sunday 16 August, aged 79 years.
We often hanker back to those days when communities worked together voluntarily, and helped each other without favour or reward.
Seamus Hearns was reared with these values, and he never lost them. He dedicated himself to voluntary work during his lifetime in Killeshin.
He was active in the GAA, the pipe band, the Holy Cross Solidarity, the hall committee, May Sunday committee, the Young Priests' Society and the Fianna Fail cumann.
He collected at the church gate for many minority groups, and in later years became a Eucharistic minister.
Killeshin GFC was his first love, as a player and official. He played during the most successful era in the 1950's, winning Laois junior and intermediate championship.
Seamus served as a club officer for over 50 years, holding every position, and in each one he took his responsibilities seriously. He was an outstanding treasurer for over 30years, a testament to his integrity. Through good times and bad, he took great pride in the club, and was delighted as its recent growth.
If Seamus saw a job that needed doing, he would do it without fuss. "No point in doing it if yer not going to do it right," he would say.
Seamus travelled the length and breadth of Ireland in support of Laois, and enjoyed travelling on the club bus to Croke Park, stopping for a few pints in the Big Tree pub, and then on to the game.
The local Holy Cross sodality has also lost a great friend. Seamus was the one who organised the lovely red sashes, and was the first to partake in their many parades and guards of honour. He would lead from the front, carrying their lovely banner, and enjoyed participating in the St Patrick's Day and May Sunday parades.
Seamus also enjoyed his involvement with the local pipe band, believing that having your own pipe band was a terrific symbol of local pride and community spirit.
Travelling on local organised outings was a particular favourite pastime for Seamus. He really enjoyed the camaraderie and social scene, which was an integral part of these trips.
Seamus's funeral service stood testament to his life. The cortege travelled from his sister's (Josephine) house to the local church on Monday evening, flaked by guards of honour from local organisations. Also present were many of his former colleagues from Irish Sugar.
His remains were received at the Holy Cross Church by Fr John Dunphy PP. The following day, funeral Mass was celebrated by his nephew, Fr Donal Hogan. Each a celebration of a bountiful life.
Any stranger passing must have surely said, "A very important man must have passed away". How right they were. Not only important, but respected. And as we know, respect is earned, and Seamus earned it in abundance.
In every aspect of his life, Seamus touched the lives of many people. Always good humoured, he never spoke a cross word or spoke ill of anybody. He possessed a unique characteristic of being able to see the good in everyone.
The community will miss him greatly. They will miss seeing that familiar white hair as they drive into the GAA pitch, as they approach the church gateor when they attend the many local events in the hall.
They will miss his quick wit in the local pub, at meetings, on outings; and they will miss him outside his own home, clipping that hedge and tending to his garden. Indeed, they will miss fearing for his safety as he manoeuvred his little car onto the busy road.
Seamus too had a great sense of family values, dutifully caring for his late mother for many years.
His immediate family, his sisters, Josephine, Kitty, Claire and Sheila mourn the loss a wonderful brother. His brother-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins will greatly miss him.
The community mourns the loss of a loyal friend and tireless worker.
He enriched the lives of the local people in many ways, and perhaps as they visit all those places he frequented, they will quietly say to themselves: "Seamus, thank you. It was a pleasure knowing you."

Courtesy of the Nationalist
September 11th, 2009 Tweet

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