The Late Dan Tompkins

Dan Tompkins was born on 26 June 1927 in a Redbog, Tinahely. Dan married Monica Strahan of Bellshill, Clonmore on 2 September 1959 and they had two daughters.

Dan worked very hard during his life. He ploughed with horses on the home farm in the Redbog and he also worked with many farmers in the area. Dan worked with Carlow County Council until his retirement.
In the 1940's Dan used to cycle to the Punchestown and Galway races and he went to the races in Punchestown every year up until his death.

Dan loved getting out and meeting people and could communicate with both young and old. He loved playing cards and every Monday night he played in Tinahely, Thursday night in Fenagh and Friday night in Clonegal. Dan played cards in Ballyshane with his friends for 30 years. He supported his parish bingo every Sunday night and went to Hacketstown bingo every Wednesday night.

His wife Monica died on 17 March 1981. Dan had two daughters, Anne and Mary, who he worked very hard to support. He was kind and gentle man who loved and cared for his family.

Dan loved Gaelic football and hurling and attended most of the All-Irelands in the 1950s and 60s. His nephew, Larry Tompkins, won two All-Irelands with Cork in 1989 and 1990. Dan went to both finals and to every match that Larry played in Cork and Killarney.

Dan and his good friend, the late Charles Kehoe, dug the graves in Clonmore for many years. The were very professional and took great pride in their work, Dan moved four times, but sill remained in the same parish.
He had two grandsons, whom he adored and he was very proud of both of them, Declan plays underten football with Coolkenna.

Dan had a great easy going personality and he enjoyed life to the full. There was a massive turnout at his funeral from people of all ages.

He passed away suddenly at his residence in Coolkenna on 22 July and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his daughters Anne Tompkins (London) and Mary McCarthy (Coolkenna), son-in-law Pádraig, grandsons Declan and Niall, brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, relatives and friends.

He reposed at his residence with removal to Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Clonmore for prayers and requiem Mass with burial in the adjoining cemetery. His months mind Mass was celebrated on Sunday 22 August in Clonmore.

Courtesy of the Nationalist
August 24th 2010 Tweet

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