Hynes, John
January 10, 2012John (80) had been in failing health for the past year. He was admitted to St Luke's on 2 January 2011 and periods of hospitalisation followed in St Luke's and at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow. Having spent six months in the care of his loving wife and family, John was readmitted to St Luke's in November.
A native of Dublin, John was the eldest of three sons of the late Henry and Katherine (Kitty) Hynes. His mother, who passed away in 1996, was formerly Katherine Nolan from Ballyhackett, Tullow.
John attended Terenure College, Dublin as a boarder and, on the death of his father, his mother brought her three children to Carlow, setting up the family grocery business at Shamrock Square, Carlow.
John worked at the offices of Carlow sugar factory before emigrating to London for two years. On his return home in 1958, he joined the staff of Joshua Watson in Carlow, training to become a malster. He was employed for the company for the remainder of his working life, being a valued and popular member of staff.
In the mid-1950s, John met the love of his life, Maura Donagher from the Sligo/Roscommon border, who was working in Carlow Post Office. John and Maura met at a dance in the Ritz Ballroom.
They married in Dublin on 28 June 1960 and lived throughout their married life at Iona Drive. In June 2010, there was a big family celebration to mark the couple's golden wedding anniversary.
John was an avid sports follower, developing a particular love for rugby in his Terenure College days. He was a talented scrum-half for Co Carlow in the early 50s and retained a passion for the game after his playing days.
John loved to attend the home rugby internationals and, on occasion, travelled to Twickenham, Cadiff and Murrayfield for away matches.
He followed Terenue, Carlow, Leinster and Ireland rugby teams, revelling in their achievements.
John played Gaelic football for the O'Hanrahans and Tinryland and also played cricket at college and in Carlow.
In 1963, John was one of a group of 15 people who set up Carlow Credit Union. At a time when credit wasn't widely available, and those in need of a small loan could not resort to the banks, John Hynes was part of the setting up of an institution that had democracy at its very heart.
The founder members each subscribed 1 pound and spent their Friday evenings reviewing loans and watching savings. John served on a voluntary basis with the credit union from 1963 until 2000 and, on his retirement, was presented with a medal for his sterling service as a branch director and president. It was an accolade well earned for 37 years of dedicated and loyal service.
Military life formed an important part of John's life. He joined the army reserve force - Foras Cosanta Aitiuil (FCA) - in 1949, rising to the rank of commandant, the highest position within the force. Throughout his FCA years, John was held in the highest respect by his colleagues. Down the years, he greatly enjoyed taking part in the annual training camps in Gormanston.
In 1966, John was detailed to accompany Caitlín Ní hAnnracháin when she visited Kilmainham Gaol as part of the 1916 Easter Rising celebrations. Her brother Micheál O hAnnracháin was one of the patriots executed at Kilmainham.
When rifle shots rang out as part of the 1966 commemorations at the prison, Caitlín Ní hAnnracháin fainted and was caught by John as she fell.
The O'Hanrahans GAA club in Carlow took their name from the 1916 patriot.
In latter years, John was a founder member and director of the County Military Museum, located in the grounds of St Dympna's Hospital. John's input was a significant factor in its great success.
In a eulogy at the end of his funeral Mass, John's eldest son Harry recalled that as children they would watch in fascination as their father ironed shoe laces and used browned greaseproof paper to get the extra sharpened crease in his trousers. Harry continued: "Duraglit and Blanco were never in short supply in the house and anyone would have been impressed by the shine on John's shoes and boots."
Harry told the large congregation: "Mum and dad worked hard to get us material comforts, but to grow up never doubting we were loved and wanted was a gift more precious.
"Although his was not the tragic death of a younger man, we weren't ready to let him go. Ideally, he would have been at home drinking Guinness and watching Ireland beating England in rugby."
John, he said, would have been very downhearted to see a veil of sadness at his passing and would have liked the family to celebrate his death with thoughts of a fulfilled life and a loving marriage.
Harry spoke of John's great devotion to Maura. He said: "Unusual for a man of his generation, he showed his affection openly and would frequently comment on our mother's grace and style. That she loved him, too, was more than obvious to all, in particular over the past year - never failing to help him through; she was with him to the end."
Having reposed at Carpenter's Funeral Home, Barrack Street - John was a lifelong friend of the late Paddy Carpenter - his remains were removed to the Cathedral of the Assumption.
The hearse was flanked by the army reserve members of C Company, 33rd Battalion, drawn from Bagenalstown and Carlow, headed by Commandant John Holland.
John's remains were received by Fr John Cummins, Adm.
Fr Rory Nolan, CC, Carlow, celebrated the funeral Mass on Monday morning, 19 December.
Significant symbols of John's life were brought to the altar by his grandchildren at the start of Mass.
A rugby ball was brought forward by Ruaidhri Duddy, a newspaper by Arnaud Mead, an FCA book by Aine Whelan, John's pipe by Charlie Mead and his credit union medal by Harry Hynes (grandson).
Prayers of the Faithful were recited by grandchildren Ciara Hynes, Eva Mead, Jack and Michael Whelan, Rachael Whelan and Saoirse Duddy.
The offertory gifts were brought forward by grandchildren Finnan and Oscar Duddy, Hugo Mead and Sean Whelan.
The readings at Mass were by John's brother Paddy and grandson Damien Whelan.
The beautiful singing at Mass was by John's granddaughter Orlaith Duddy, while Clare Cashin was organist.
The coffin, draped in the tricolour and bearing John's FCA cap and gloves, was carried from the cathedral by army reserve members under the command of Lt John Doyle.
The coffin-bearing party, under the command of Lt Doyle, brought John to his final resting place.
John is survived by his wife, Maura, children Deirdre Whelan (Springfield Drive, Carlow), Harry (Tralee), Fionnuala Duddy (Wells, Somerset), Sean (Donore, Browneshill, Carlow) and Sinead Mead (Nurney, Carlow) by his brother Paddy (Blanchardstown, Dublin), brothers-in-law Des and Walter (both Sligo), sisters-in-law Madeline (Wichita, USA), Breda (Dublin) and Annie (Sligo), by his 20 grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.
John was predeceased in December 2000 by his brother Harry, a medical doctor in Wichita, Kansas.
The Month's Mind Mass for John will be celebrated in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday 22 January at 11am.
May he rest in peace.
- Courtesy of Carlow Nationalist, 10th January 2012 Tweet
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