Parker, Patrick
August 06, 2006
The late Patrick Parker
The death of Patrick (Paddy) Parker, who was originally from Kinawley, in Clachan Court, Derrylin removed from the scene a man who was steeped in gaelic football lore, having been a star player to start with.
Paddy was 87 and had enjoyed an active life before taking up residency in Clachan Court a few short years ago.
He was a son of James (Jem) and Anne Parker, Tully, Kinawley, his mother being a primary school teacher. He studied in St Patrick's College, Cavan and continued his studies at University College Dublin where he graduated. He could count among his would-be lifelong friends, Liam Gaffney who was to become his Curate in Kinawley and is Parish Priest in Derrylin.
On the GAA field, Paddy was a talented footballer and played for club and county, being a member of the Fermanagh Junior side which beat Antrim in the 1943 Ulster Junior final. However, uniquely for his time, he played for his college and university teams.
After graduation, he took up employment with the Department of Agriculture and, following the death of his father, he looked after the family farm.
But, his sporting instincts never left him. He formed a boxing club in Kinawley and, as testimony to its success, it was the venue for a number of official journeys and produced a crop of top-class boxers.
He was, in fact, an all-round sportsman. As talented with is eye as with his hands, he quickly mastered the art of training his own greyhounds and won Cups with them.
But, it was his likeable personality that made him such a character. His light hearted, but always innocent banter, his witty turn of phrase and his reservoir of anecdotes made him the life and soul of any group.
He possessed a simple yet strong faith, and until his health declined, he was a regular attender at Mass and the Sacraments.
There was a huge presence at his wake, removal and funeral Mass which was celebrated at St Naile's Church, Kinawley by Fr Gerry Comiskey, CC. he was assisted by the Parish Priest of Kinawley/Swanlinbar, Fr Donald Hannon and Canon Gaffney, PE, Derrylin.
Fr Comiskey extended the sincere sympathy of the priests and people of the parish to Paddy's many relatives and friends, some of whom contributed to the liturgy. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
In addition to his parents, Paddy Parker was pre-deceased by his only sister, Maria.
Courtesy of The Fermanagh Herald
06/08/2006
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