Remembering Carey Joyce

Lifelong friends of Carey Joyce, former TD and county councillor, gathered in sadness following his death to express their sympathy to the Joyce family and to remember a true friend, advisor, and confidante.
The night also saw the untimely passing of Mr Andy McGrath a real gentleman and secretary of the local Fianna Fail Cumann.

A moment's silence was observed in both their memories. Many of those who gathered to remember Carey following his removal from St Patrick's Church, Fermoy recalled a warrior of politics, a staunch republican and a true party man.
Mairead O'Donovan, who has been a lifelong friend of Carey Joyce and the Joyce family, recalled the many canvasses that she took part in for both Cork County Council and Dail Eireann elections, spending many hours making canvass posters on the Joyce family kitchen table where canvassers were well looked after by Carey's wife Margaret, who made sure that all were well fed before heading back out on the canvass trail.
Mairead's Father, the late Dan O'Donovan acted as Carey's director of elections in many an election and both men were lifelong friends that went far beyond the realms of politics.

Marie Byrne recalled the humility of the Joyce family and the many warm welcomes she would receive on many visits to the Joyce home in Acres, Fermoy. Carey was always up to date with the happenings in political circles both local and national. His fascinating ability to be able to recall from mind facts and figures, names and count details relating to past elections was a true source of information that could be called upon at any time. Marie Byrne said she would never forget the special friendship she shared with Carey and the Joyce family.

Denis Noonan recalled many humorous stories from the canvass trail. Carey was welcome in to every home and was held in great affection by the electorate. Dennis recalled that it could take nearly a half a day to canvass a small area as, in nearly all the houses they would canvass, the owner would insist that Carey and his team would have tea and cake and Carey was a man who never refused.

Cllr Olive Corcoran said she would always be grateful for the advice and guidance she received from Carey following her decision to stand for Fermoy Town Council.
Paul Lillis also recognised the encouragement and support he received from Carey when he stood for Fermoy Town Council in 2004. He said it was an honour to have Carey Joyce canvass for him and he experienced first hand the warmth and affection the people of Fermoy still held for him some years after his retirement.

Cllr Frank O'Flynn said he was deeply saddened at the death of his friend, mentor, and neighbour. He said Carey was a true legend and whose passing was marked on Cork County Council with the suspension of a meeting of the council.
Michael Ahern TD who was a close friend and cousin of Carey, giving the oration at Carey's funeral Mass said, "Carey's funeral Mass said, "Carey carved out a special place in the minds and hearts of the people of Fermoy and surrounding areas and further afield in to North and East Cork. Carey had a great love of people and places and saw as part of his duty in life to help those less fortunate than himself to use his experience, Knowledge and influence to improve the economic and social facilities in his own area for the benefit of all and not for personal gain. This altruistic approach has been in short supply of late but is badly needed in these turbulent times. Carey's example is one we can follow."

The affection held for Carey Joyce was evident at his well attended funeral over three days. The crowd that gathered to accompany Carey to St Patrick's Church and the following day to his resting place was the biggest that was afforded to a political figure in many years.

The guard of honour which was made up of many leading figures from Fianna Fail and his beloved Grange GAA Club where he was president.
Carey Joyce will never be forgotten by his friends, we will miss the many visits to see him at his home, reminiscing about past canvasses and political incidents that were recalled with laughter.

Margaret and her family are devastated at the loss of a husband, a father a grandfather and brother. We are very sad at the loss of a true friend. It is indeed the end of an area with the passing of Carey Joyce. We will certainly never see his likes around East and North Cork again.
As Michael Ahern commented, "Death will always be painful: bereavement sorrowful but we celebrate the gift of Carey's life"
Slan leat, Carey a chara dilis agus le cunamh de, Casomuid le ceile aris ar 'La Morn a Breithinigh' amach. Ar dheis lamh De, go mbeidh tu I gconai slan go deo.

Courtesy of The Avondhu 2/12/10 Tweet

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