The Late Sgt Seamus O'Rourke, IT was with a sense of sadness that the news of the death of Sgt. Seamus O'Rourke was received in Wexford. Seamus took up duty in Foxford about 40 years ago, living in the Garda residence with his wife, Ann, and infant son, John. They were very soon part of the community. The sergeant was known to be a man of great integrity who did his job without fear or favour. He earned for himself the unusual title of "The Skipper". Seamus was a credit to the Garda Force and he was a great community man. He acted as secretary of the Development Association in the 1970s. He was a founder member of the local branch of Western Care Association. He was also a member of the Social Services and never spared himself, on retirement, in delivering meals on wheels. Seamus was a man of great faith and was never slow in helping the clergy when called upon. He also had a great rapport with the travelling community when it was not popular. They had great respect for the man they called "The Sergeant". After faith, family and job, football was the great love of Seamus's life, especially Galway football. While stationed in Galway in the late 40s he played club football with a city team - Fr. Griffin's. He was also a county footballer. Later when stationed in Claremorris he togged out for his native Creggs. A man with a great sense of humour, Seamus was also at his devilish best when Mayo and Galway teams met in the Connacht Championship. The following lines of a poem seem appropriate for a true Gael, a fine man and a loyal servant of the Foxford community. 'But when the one great scorer comes, To write against your name, He marks not that you won or lost, But how you played the game' Seamus played the game of life as a true Christian and he has now received his trophy - no doubt festooned with the maroon and white ribbons - from the Lord we held dear. Solas na bhflaitheas do d'anam usual, a Shéamais. Courtesy of the Western People, October 2004. Tweet

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