The County Carlow communities of Grange and Tullow were united in mourning the passing on Sunday 19 January of Jim Browne, Laurel Lodge, Downings, Tullow. Jim, who would have celebrated his 64th birthday on 23 February, passed away at his home. He was diagnosed with cancer some four years ago but had carried on a normal life, working on his family farm up to November last.
A man who lived life to the full, Jim Browne was a hugely popular figure within his local community. Son of the late John and Meta (nee Brennan) Browne, he took over the family farm at a very young age. He loved the land, carrying on a successful mixed enterprise of dairying, sheep, cattle and tillage. He also had a keen and active interest in bloodstock and boasted a few fine brood mares down through the years.
One of a family of seven - four boys and three girls - Jim is the first of them to pass away. He died peacefully, surrounded by sons Jack and Harry, his beloved Brid and many family members.
Jim had a passion for sport. A big man - in physique and personality - he played Gaelic football for Grange, being a strong and influential midfielder and, for many years, played in the forwards for Tullow Rugby Club, being a former president of the Blackgates Club.
He played many sports throughout his younger life to a pretty decent standard and in particular golf, being a member of the Mount Wolseley club and Tullow Golf Society up until his illness. He is the only known golfer to have holed out in two on the difficult par four 18th in Mount Wolseley.
Jim carried on the Browne family's close association with Tullow Agricultural Show Society, serving in a number of capacities down the years, more recently as safety officer and chief steward in the cattle section at the annual Coppenagh event.
He will be remembered as a man of very good nature and a great neighbour, who enjoyed fun, laughter and the craic.
Huge crowds called to the Browne home in the days following Jim's passing, an indication of the widespread popularity that he enjoyed. Jim was waked at home and later at Byrne's Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Tullow on Tuesday, before removal that evening to St John the Baptist Church, Grange, where his remains were received by Fr Padraig Shelley, CC, Tullow, along with parish priest Fr Andy Leahy and Mgr Brendan Byrne.
Jim's funeral mass on Wednesday morning was celebrated by Fr Leahy. At the beginning of mass, some of the symbols of Jim's life were brought to the altar. They were narrated by his sister Cora Browne and brought forward by his son Harry and nieces and nephews.
The symbols included his cap, a miniature combine harvester and sheep tags, symbolic of his farming life; a signed copy of a Judge Judy poster - Jim was an avid Judge Judy fan during his illness, and his son Jack had obtained an autograph when the high-profile TV judge was in Dublin; a breeding catalogue from Goffs, indicating Jim's love of horses; a music tape of Andre Rieu, an artist of whom Jim was a great devotee; and a photograph of his 15 nephews and nieces, each of whom Jim made feel very special.
The readings at Mass were by John (brother) and Margaret (sister) while the Prayers of the Faithful were recited by sister Ann, along with son Jack and nephews and nieces. The Offertory gifts were brought forward by nephews and nieces.
A close family friend and cousin, who could not attend the funeral, sent the following tribute: "I have lost a dear friend and the memories of the antics we shared together will never go away. They don't make people like Jim Browne anymore. Tullow, Grange and the surrounding areas now have a void left in their communities and also in the lives of a great many people. Manners and politeness carried him anywhere he went."
At the end of Mass, Jim's youngest brother Paddy paid a dignified tribute to a greatly-loved siblling.
Afterwards, Jim was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery with his parents, Fr Leahy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.
Members of Grange GFC, Tullow Rugby Club and Tullow Show Society formed guards of honour at both the removal of remains, funeral Mass and burial. The Grange football and Tullow rugby jerseys were placed on the coffin. Jim is survived by his sons Jack (20) and 15 year old Harry, his beloved partner Brid Bracken, brothers Peter (Roscat, Tullow), John (Milford, Carlow) and Paddy (Carlow), sisters Ann (Gowran, Co Kilkenny), Cora (Downings) and Margaret (Dungarvan, Co Waterford), by his nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law Frankie, Ger, Seamus, sisters-in-law Hillary, Noreen and Theresa, by Gill, relations, good neighbours and many friends.

The Nationalist, 4th February 2014 Tweet

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