The Late Walter Hickey The recent passing of Walter Hickey marked the demise of one of Kilconnell's best known and loved citizens. In his 90th year, Walter (or Waltie as he was better known), was 'the heart and soul' of Kilconnell since he arrived there as a fourteen-year-old to work in Callanan's shop, where he served his time and worked for over twelve years. Born in April 9 1918, at Lough Atorick, Woodford, Waltie was of of fourteen children, three of whom became nuns and one a priest. In 1945 he built his own general grocery shop in Kilconnell and three years later married Mary Jo Kenny. They reared four children of which he was very proud. Possessed of a most obliging and charitable disposition, Waltie's business grew and there were many memories of ' Shopping in Hickey's' for wet batteries, dry batteries, radios, gas cookers, bicycles, rabbits, turkeys and general groceries. He was generous with his time, never saw anybody 'stuck' and always understood and respected peoples' needs. Waltie was a gifted man with his hands, he was the general handyman of his time-coming up with the solution to everything. When RTE initially opened the TV arrived on time but there was no aerial. Undaunted, Waltie tried two Bushman saws together and mounted them on a pole for an aerial. The shop was packed for the TV Showing and the proudest man in the place was the 'fixer' himself. He even brought the TV set up to the local hall so his fellow villagers could witness the Galway footballers achieve All-Ireland victories in 1964, '65 and 66. His shop was the venue for nightly games of cards, which was a big social activity in Kilconnell. His stories and yarns were a joy to behold, as well as his poetry recitations. He was a life-long Pioneer and was a strong Fine Gael supporter in politics. It was fitting that local Cllr Michael Mullins should pay such a glowing tribute to him in a graveside oration. Cllr Mullins described Waltie as a man who touched the lives of many people in so many different ways, as a family man, and as a community man he made an outstanding contribution to life in Kilconnell over many decades. "He was a member of the Parish Council, the Hall Committee, acted as MC for plays and concerts and was responsible for launching the Crystal All-Stars Showband on the road. He was a life-long member of the PTAA and he wore the gold pin with great pride always. he was a great GAA man, giving much time and energy to his beloved St. Gabriel's where he played with, coached and refereed. He played with the 1942 team that won the county junior final, coached the minor hurling team of 1953 to the final as well as the minor football team of 1968 to the county semi-final. "Waltie's contribution to the GAA locally was recognised when the club presented him with the Hall of Fame award in 2005. "Walter Hickey and Hickey's hop have been synonymous with business and commerce for 65 years, many of them in difficult economic times. He was an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word and over the years moved and diversified with the times. "His kindness and generosity to the poor, the elderly and particularly to the transient population that came around the area was legendary, as was his generosity to the children who came into his shop," said Mr Mullins. Concluding, he said: "It was indeed fitting last night that his coffin would be brought out through the shop where he spent so much of his life, leaving the people that he love and respected." One of Waltie's little 'peculiarities' was that he never shaved on a Sunday to Church hold day. He was told, as a young man, that if he didn't shave on those days he would never have a toothache so he never did and never had a toothache. Even in the hospital up to the time of his death he always enquired 'what day is it' before he shaved. The turnout for the removal of his remains to the Sacred Heart Church and funeral to Kilconnell New Cemetery was testimony to the popularity of a man that had endeared himself to all sections of the community for over three quarters of a century. Walter is survived by his wife Mary Jo, son Gerard, daughters Marie, Goretti and Teresa, sister St. Bosco (Naas); sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune 18th April 2008 Tweet

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