The late Pat Batterberry R.I.P. The village of Castletownroche bid a fond farewell to one of its favourite sons on Saturday last when local post-master Pat Batterberry was laid to rest in the local cemetery. Pat was one of those people that you immediately felt at ease within their company and rarely if ever did I witness the man lose his cool with anyone. A man of high intellect, he was often sought after for advice, but in truth he always took time out to listen to everybody and he endeared himself to all of us down the years. You could say that Pat was one of life's true gentlemen and a real charismatic figure within the community, always welcoming with a warmth of character that only few could equal. Pat's first involvement with the G.A.A. began in the 1950's when he started playing underage hurling and football for Castletownroche. Due to work commitments, he ceased playing in the early 1960's. Slow to praise himself, it was noted that he was promising enough and but for the intervention of work in his post office, shop and public house, Pat could have gone on to better things on his field of play. However, it was as an administrator within the local club that he proved himself beyond any shadow of a doubt and he had few peers as chairman of Castletownroche G.A.A. from the early to the late 1980's and chairman of Castletownroche juvenile G.A.A. in the early 1990's. Few could have envisaged the success the club was about to have when he took the reins on a bitterly cold January afternoon in 1982. Indeed I remember Pat telling us all in a determined manner and taking a line from an old Frank Sinatra song, saying he was going to run the club "My Way." How true, he stuck to his word and his professional approach to everything rubbed off on everybody. Castletownroche sailed through North Cork and the county championships that year, picking up the Junior-B football championship along the way and though he was not involved with the juvenile club at this stage, the U12 hurlers had captured North Cork and county titles also. But Pat, being the absolute model of modesty, never sought the limelight. That was left to the people in the club he valued most, the players. The club competed at intermediate level for a few years and were unlucky on several occasions not to have achieved more at this grade. Pat took a break for a year or two, but was back in 1988 as a selector on the all conquering junior 'B' football side that captured both North Cork and county titles, beating none other than Ilen Rovers in the county final. He was always our "lucky charm" when involved. Pat' contribution to the local club in the 1990's is immeasurable and how proud he must have been to see his talented nephew Johnny come through the ranks. The truth of the matter here is that I could write an entire book on the man's contribution, not only to G.A.A., but to other organisations within our close knit community. Seamus, his brother gave a wonderful eulogy at the funeral Mass on Saturday and the respect these two had for each other is an example to every family. The esteem in which he was held by his employees in his post office , namely Liz Magnier, Siobhan Hurley, Amanda and his heartbroken niece Grace was as unique as it was wonderful and was always a happy atmosphere in which to enter. Although we knew Pat had been ill for some time, we are all saddened by his passing. He faced his illness the same way he approached life, positive and with no complaints, more worried about those he was leaving behind. The courage he showed against impossible odds is something we should all take example from and just proved what a great soldier he truly was. To his family, brothers, Seamus and John sister Susie, nephew Johnny, niece Grace, grand-nephew Brodie, nephews Seamus and Thomas, his co-workers Liz, Siobhan, Amanda and Joan and his many friends we extend our warmest sympathy. Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis. The Avondhu 06/11/08 Tweet

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