For all who knew Michael Barrows, it is hard to realise that this month marks the first anniversary of the death of one of Tuam's true gentlemen. A sportsman, a scholar, but above all a kind and gentle human being, Michael was born in England on July 12, 1922 and lived there until the age of nine when he returned to his mother's home town, Tuam. His mother was a member of the Hosty family, who were prominent merchants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and she brought her son and his sister Patricia, or Patsy as she was known locally, to live in an environment where they were surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. His first employment was with John Egan and Sons, the mineral water manufacturers who won the important Coca Cola franchise for the West of Ireland, and later he moved on and became area sales manager for Edward Dillon and Co of Dublin. Michael married Joan McNamara, daughter of another well known local family, on September 10, 1959 after a long courtship. Thus began a loving partnership that ended sadly after 45 years with Joan's sudden death in September 2004. Joan was, if not a larger than life figure, certainly not smaller than life. She was full of talk and chat and joie de vivre and consequently Michael was seen as the quieter of the two. But in the company of family and friends Michael's true self came to light. He was well read and witty and could speak knowledgeable on many topics, but was never one to flaunt his intelligence or knowledge. He was very good company and had the ability to put people at their ease, always finding common ground, regardless of the age difference. Sport was an abiding interest, and few who knew him slightly in later life were aware that he was a talented footballer, winning a county medal with Tuam Stars in 1947, of which he was deservedly proud. He was also a keen tennis player. When Footballing days were over, golf became his sport of choice. He was captain of Tuam Golf Club in 1966 and was made an honourary member in latter years. He was also a member of Tuam Tennis Club, Tuam Bridge Club and the Old Tuam Society, and he took an active interest in the latter two, and in golf, to the end of his days. After his retirement in 1980 Michael and Joan were able to travel at home and abroad, often to places of historical interest, and afterwards he always had a quirky tale or two to tell of peculiar or amusing people or incidents. Michael was a loyal friend and a principled man with a high moral standard, who had great faith and attended Mass regularly. He was an affectionate father to his three children Phina, Susan and Geoffrey, and after Joan's death all three, even though Phina and Susan live in London, visited and looked after him with the same loving kindness that he had shown to them. He was also blessed with kind and attentive neighbours on Circular Road. We all hope to see the future in our children and grandchildren, and Michael took great pleasure and interest in the lives and activities of his four, Stuart, Evan, Aisling and Florence. His memory will live on in the recollections of his family and many friends, many of whom gathered in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam on Saturday October 20 for his first anniversary Mass. Courtesy of the Tuam Herald. 11 October, 2007 Tweet

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