Drumm, Paddy
October 03, 2012
The recent death of a former chairman of Derrylin GFC and noted card and skittles player, Paddy Drumm impacted greatly on the local community. A widower, he lived at Tirraroe and is immediately survived by his four brothers, Frank, Joe, Hugh and Gerry. He was 79. He has been admitted to hospital the day prior to his death. His late wife, Mary pre-deceased him in 2001. His well-attended funeral Mass in St Ninnigh's Church, Derrylin was celebrated by Fr Fintan McKiernan, PP who, the previous evening, had received the remains.
Once again, there was a very large number of sympathisers and a guard of honour was in place made up of members of the Derrylin club and Knockninny Credit Union on which he has served as chairman and was closely involved. The coffin, draped in the O'Connell's jersey, was carried in relays into the church by Derrylin club members out of respect for a man who had worn the jersey with distinction and had given 60-plus years' sterling service in a variety of roles, including club trustee. In his homily at the funeral Mass, Fr McKiernan said Paddy's whole life had been a preparation for death in that he had carried out the Lord's command to his disciples to serve others. He singled out his great generosity to children.
And, in a lighter vein, he recalled Paddy's joviality and love of conversation, the love he had for everyone and his sometimes exaggerated stories. At the start of Mass, gifts reflecting aspects of the deceased's life were brought to the altar, a gaelic football (Tommy Gunn), a Credit Union savings book (Joseph Maguire), a pack of playing cards (Hazel Clarke), a Parish minute book (Brenda O'Rourke), a skittle (John McGerty), and a hers book (Mickey Lee). The commentary accompanying the carrying up of the gifts was given by Paddy's close friend, Martin McBrien. He explained that Paddy was, by birth, a farmer and profession led into his second career that of a butcher, first in the old shop beside Cathal McGovern's garage and then, in the years leading up to his retirement, in the arcade beside the chapel. He recalled how, in the old shop, Paddy enjoyed 'a kind of a pastoral role' in that the shop was a popular meeting place for friends and neighbours, especially on Grand National days. Continuing, Martin suggested that the gifts reflected a man of many interests and an involvement in community which made the deceased such a singular character.
He instanced how those who knew him well simply addressed Paddy as, 'Drumm'. "No fancy titles were needed to describe a truly larger then life character". There was a very meaningful and representative participation in the liturgy. The soloist for the hymns was Eilish Scallon and as the remains left the church, the piper, John Burke played two laments, "The Dawning of the Day" and 'Home From the Willow Tree'. The final relay of coffin bearers were Paddy's colleagues form the card nights in his home and the Derrylin club. The funeral arrangements were by Pat Blake.
(Text courtesy of Fermanagh Herald 03/10/12)
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