The Late Victor Smith The Christmas season, which usually brings joy and happiness to every household and locality, was tinged with sadness in Timoleague and throughout its wider hinterland with the death of Victor Smith of Cregane. His passing is all the more poigant for a man not yet fifty who was struck down with a terminal illness in less than two months. A man of great physical strength, he spent the greater part of his working life as Quality Control Operator in the Provender Division of Barryroe Co-Op. His love of his parish, village and community were clearly exemplified organisation. The GAA, Festival Committee, Community Council, Church Body and School Board all benefited from his wise counsel and ever-willing help. The esteem in which he was held was clearly evident by the turnout for his removal from the family home on St. Stephen's evening, and funeral at the Church of the Ascension the following day, which was one of the largest ever seen in Timoleague. In the course of his homily, Rev. Ian Jonas, who conducted the service and obsequies at the graveside, described Victor as a man of unique and outstanding qualities, who gave of his time and energies freely to every organisation he was involved with. As a family man, his dedication to the School Board and his attention to detail as a Church Warden was surpassed only by him family. Fr Pat Hickey, in the course of his tribute recited a verse of Seán Ó Coileáin's poem Tig Molaga. In a very touching eulogy, his elder brother, Bertie, spoke of the great voluntary commitment which was so much part of Victor's life. His work for the Festival and Community Council was surpassed only by his great contribution, to the Timoleague GAA Club, as a player, a coach, a selector and referee. No doubt, his great moment was to be a selector with the team which won the county final six years ago. But his greatest contribution to the club was his commitment to the under age teams whom he coached and helped to transport to games all over the county. Clonakilty and Bandon Rugby Clubs and Bandon Hockey Club also benefited from his excellence as a player. In conclusion, he thanked the Community Council, GAA and Barryroe Co-Op staff who provided such as effective guard of honour at the removal and he paid a glowing tribute to the parishioners of Timoleague and Barryroe who turned out is such large numbers for the nine day novena at Our Lady's Well and to Rev. Jonas and Fr. Hickey, who visited him in hospital. To his wife Pauline, Children, Richard, Colin and Valda, sister Marion, brothers Bertie, Leslie and Eric, goes the sympathy of the entire hinterland. Courtesy of the Southern Star January 2003 Tweet

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