Collins, Pat (PJ)
October 20, 2012It is difficult to accept that Pat (PJ) Collins of Bandon has died. Pat was born in 1938 on the townland of Edencurra, quite close to the village of Ballinacarriga where the chieftain Randol óg Hurley built his castle in 1675. It was often indeed that Pat and his schoolboy friends climbed to the top of that castle and gazed at the picturesque lake down below and the countryside for miles all around. Pat received his early education at the local Ballinacarriga National School.
When the time came he was transferred to Farranferris College in Cork city, where he successfully remained for the customary five years. His next step was at the Department of Agriculture School at Darrara College in Clonakilty. Pat was the epitome of a Christian and a gentleman to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His advice was often sought and his recommendations usually accepted. Like so many energetic country boys, he played a lot of games in his youth. He was a big strong man, being 6ft 2in tall. He played football with his beloved Randol óg Club and won hurling championship and league trophies with the local Dohenys hurling club.
Pat was not a flamboyant character. Everyone who met him was instantly inspired by his kindness, his humanity and his sincerity, his gift of making true and loyal friends. This loyalty and friendship depended over the years. Having completed his second-level education he was appointed to the staff of the Department of Agriculture and took up duty in Naas, Co. Kildare in 1961. While there he met Theresa McCabe, a nurse in the Army nursing service in the Curragh camp. In 1965 she became his wife and in time the mother of his three children - Paul, Maura and Carmel. In 1971 he transferred to the staff of the Cork county Council and was stationed at the Bandon office, where he spent the rest of his working life. He joined the Bandon GAA Club and became a very active member of their very successful development team. He was subsequently elected as vice president of the club. He was also actively involved as a member of the Bandon Old Chapel Trotting Association. Pat was a quite and contemplative person.
His outstanding attribute was his charity- he never spoke of the failings of other people. Indeed it was appreciate that his colleagues and friends in the Bandon GAA Club, the Randal óg GAA Club and the Bandon Old Chapel Trotting Association give him a guard of honour at his removal to the chapel and also on the day of his burial, minding him and protecting him, so to speak, to his burial in the Bandon Cemetery. We who had known Pat (PJ) so well, felt as we left the cemetery that his passing had created a vacuum, one that will be difficult to fill in this life. As we walked away we again said a silent prayer and wished that the sod would rest lightly on his gentle body. - JC -
(Text courtesy of Southern Star 20/10/12) Tweet
