The Late Tom Glynn Kilkerrin lost one of its best known residents just over a month ago with the death of Tom Glynn. Tom was born 71years ago in Kilkerrin where his parents ran a successful hardware-grocery-pub-drapery shop. After completing his studies at the nearby Franciscan National School he was forced by the illness and the death of his father to forego second level education and at the early age of 13 he began work with his mother in the family business. Tom quickly learned the trade and following the death of his mother, his wife Anne and later his son Billy began to work full time with him. Together they built up the traditional style but very successful business Glynn's of Kilkerrin Ltd., which is known throughout the county, and further afield today. Demand for fertiliser and feed stuff, plumbing, heating and builders supplies, a full range of hardware, as well as the regular stock held by all merchants, means that many people from a wide area call to Glynn's shop in the course of any week. In keeping with tradition Tom Glynn had a warm welcome for all and he operated an informal system in running his business - customers got supplies when they were needed, but they paid for them when they could afford to. Many farmers collected fertiliser in early spring but might not be able to pay until late autumn when sales of farm stock had taken place. Similarly, many can confirm that Tom Glynn helped them when building a new house, renovating an older house or erecting farm buildings. The material was supplied at the various stages but payment was only made when the bridging finance, the mortgage or the farm grant came through. Tom never pressed for payment and his motto was "pay it when you can". Tom Glynn had an encyclopedic knowledge of what stock he held, where it was located in the shop, stores or yard, how much it cost and what was the price to the customer. He could supply parts of machines or implements long obsolete and he could provide a nut, bolt, washer or pin for almost any purpose. But above all else he acted as an advisor to farmers and tradesmen. He knew the best compounds for cattle, sheep or horses; the best meal to induce a high milk yield from dairy cows; the best medicines or does for sick animals; the most suitable combination of fertiliser for each farmer's needs and he could even calculate how many tonnes were required. Builders and tradesmen came to him for advice as well as for supplies and they confidently relied upon the advice given. Apart from his family and business, Tom's great love was sport, but especially GAA. From his attendance at football and hurling matches he was known throughout the province and further afield. He knew many of the great players personally and he had great pride in the success of local players and the local teams. Come hail, rain or shine Tom set out every Sunday to go to a match and distance was never an obstacle. He occasionally attended two matches on the same day - one in the afternoon and an evening fixture closer to home on his way back! He saw the match at first hand on Sunday, watched the highlights and analysis that night on The Sunday Game, read the report in the paper on Monday morning and discussed various aspects of the game with customers, business reps, neighbours and friends during the rest of the week. In later years, when travelling to Dublin become more difficult due to congestion and parking restrictions, one would have forgiven Tom to opting to watch the match on T.V. in the comfort of his home, but as a true follower, he never put his own comforts first. Even when serious illness struck, Tom continued to travel to matches whenever he could and he was present in Croke Park for both the hurling and football All-Ireland Finals of 2004. Tom Glynn was a quiet, humble man. He encouraged young people and others facing difficulties and was a supporter of all that was for the benefit of family values or community life. He was generous when asked for assistance an in the days before there was a sportsfield or a community centre in Kilkerrin, Glynn's lorry was always available for use as a makeshift stage. Indeed, it was Glynn's lorry and its driver that was freely provided to transport a full load of medicines, food and clothing to Cork for onward transfer to Bosnia in the mid-1990s. Tom was also a man of courage, strength and optimism. When faced with serious illness he undertook the treatments recommended and bravely resumed work as soon as possible after each return from hospital. He fought a good battle but when it became obvious that he was not going to recover, Tom quietly accepted the inevitability of death and was not afraid of it. His passing has left a huge void not only in his family but also in the community that he served so well over the years. His presence in the village of Kilkerrin is sorely missed. Tom is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Marian, sons Tommy and Billy; his daughter-in-law Susan, and three grandchildren; his sisters Maureen, Pauline and Evelyn, brothers Mattie, Joe and Frank, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. The sympathy of the community is extended to all of them. His funeral was representative of the affection in which he was held by neighbours, the local community, customers, business associates, sports enthusiasts and a wide circle of people with whom he had contact. "If a person receives gratefully and gives quietly; If he is slow to see the faults of others but quick to discover their goodness; If he is cheerful in difficult times and modest in success; If he does his best to be true to his beliefs; Then he is truly an admirable man." Tom Glynn was an admirable man Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis M.J. Courtesy of the Tuam Herald 6th January 2005 Tweet

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