Mayling, Michael
May 31, 2011Michael (67) underwent a very serious ten-hour operation at St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park on 27 April. Post-operatively he was making a splendid recovery but on Tuesday 17 May he took suddenly ill in hospital and passed away.
News of his untimely and unexpected death caused profound shock and regret in the Graiguecullen-Carlow area, where Michael was held in the highest esteem, being deeply immersed in the local community.
A native of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, he was a fitter by trade, serving his time to the Coal Board in England. He went to sea for two years in the Merchant Navy before coming to Carlow in 1967.
Michael worked in the Carlow sugar factory and then at the Erin Foods plant before going to work for the Cold Rolling Mills in Graiguecullen. On 4 December 1978, he joined the staff of St Dympna's Hospital, Carlow as a foreman fitter, a position from which he was promoted to maintenance supervisor.
Michael took early retirement from St Dympna's in 2007.
In all his places of employment in the Carlow-Graiguecullen area he was regarded as being very conscientious and an excellent man at his work.
A staunch trade unionist, Michael was Carlow branch secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), later to become AEEU, AMICUS and finally UNITE. He served as branch secretary in the union in its various guises for 43 years.
After retirement, Michael went into the private sector, setting up his own health and safety business, which proved highly successful. Part of his role in that venture was to provide adult teaching on health and safety for the Carlow Vocational Education Committee (VEC).
In the mid-1960s, Michael met Helen Nolan from Henry Street, Graiguecullen who was nursing at the time in the Royal Hospital, Chesterfield. They came home to Ireland and married in St Clare's Church, Graiguecullen on 7 September 1968 in a double wedding with Helen's sister Elizabeth, who married Michael Bolton.
The Maylings resided first in Springfield Drive, Rathnapish before moving to Killeshin Road 35 years ago. Helen worked for a short spell at Carlow District Hospital before transferring to the Sacred Heart Hospital, Barrack Street, where she served as matron for many years before retiring in 1997 through ill health.
A dedicated follower and season ticket holder at Derby County, Michael travelled to England for games involving 'The Rams' at Pride Park, often being accompanied by his brother-in-law John Ellis, who was also a season ticket holder.
Michael was chairman of St Fiacc's Soccer Club at the time of the death, being largely instrumental in turning a small club with small ideas into a big club with big ideas. He also served as secretary and treasurer.
Michael served as a governor of IT Carlow, was also a member of Carlow Business Club and worked with RAPID, a voluntary organisation which obtained educational aids for schools.
He was also involved with Graiguecullen GAA Club, being a founder member of the supporters' club.
An enthusiastic gardener, Michael took great pride and enjoyment from the upkeep and maintenance of a lovely garden.
Wife Helen told The Nationalist that Michael "loved Graiguecullen and its people." She added: "If you met Michael once, you would remember his always."
Michael reposed in Carpenter's Funeral Home, Graiguecullen before being removed on Thursday 19 April to St Clare's Church, Graiguecullen, where his funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr John Dunphy PP.
During Mass, Fr Dunphy paid glowing tribute to the man that was Michael Mayling and to his enormous contribution to the community of Graiguecullen. Fr Dunphy recalled that on the day local children were preparing for First Communion in St Clare's Church, one boy asked that prayers be offered for Mick Mayling, who was sick in hospital. Fr Dunphy said that at that precise time, he received a mobile text to say that Michael had passed away, noting the coincidence and the fact that Michael had played such a role with the juveniles of the area.
After Mass, Michael was laid to rest in the new Sleaty Cemetery, with Fr Dunphy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.
The youngest in a family of three, Michael is survived by his wife Helen, son Nigel (Edinburgh), daughter Corina Webb (Ballyhide, Carlow), sister Patricia (Pat) Ellis (Derby, England), grandchildren Ronan, Katie, Neil and Orla, by daughter-in-law Fiona, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a very wide circle of friends.
- Courtesy of Carlow Nationalist 31st May 2011 Tweet
