The Late Tony Rochford The news of the untimely death of Anto/Tony Rochford in the early hours of Sunday February 17th, 2008 was received with shock and incomprehension by his family, extended family and the closely-knit community of the Cashen Ballyduff, and Brooklodge, Glanmire, Co. Cork. Tony was the youngest of five children born to Madge and Charlie Rochford of the Cashen. He attended school in the Cashen (now closed) and then in Causeway - to where he cycled every day. He spent some time in England with his brother Seán after which he fulfiled his dream to join the gardai in 1972. He was posted to Cork and served in the Mayfield and McCurtain St. stations until retirement in 2002. He made many friends among the gardai and was particularly successful in his involvement with young people in the areas in which he served. He got married in August, 1975 to the love of his life, Joan Collins from Boherbee, Co. Cork. They had three children, Diarmuid and Fergal and his adored daughter Fiona. Tony's life flowed from and was inspired by, his deep faith in God and man and in Jesus who was the personification of God and real man for him. He lived out the spiritual and corporeal works of mercy and the joy of each mercy and the joy of each day was to spend some time in his parish church in prayer. During his retirement he drove the special needs bus and this was appreciated by the children and their parents for the loving care he showed to all. Tony inherited from his parents a love of Ireland and everything Irish, especially GAA. Kerry is especially renowned for football prowess but North Kerry especially Ballyduff - is the hurling centre in the county. Two members of the team that brought an All-Ireland title to Kerry, the 1891 hurlers, were grand-uncles of Tony's on his mother's side. Tony hurled for Ballyduff being a member of the team that won three North Kerry Under-21 championships in 1965, '66 and '67 and he also won two Senior county championship medals in 1965 and '66. His interest in hurling continued as she coached the youngsters in Glanmire. His second great interest was fishing. Having spent his youth with boat and net fishing in the Cashen river, his interest extended to the rod and line as the next best thing. His garden was his next joy. He spent the few days before he died digging and planting. "It looks great," he said of a job well done. His popularity and the esteem in which he was held was to be seen in the crowds that visited and prayed for him in Barry's Funeral Home, Hazelwood, Glanmire, and which attended his removal to Sacred Heart Church, Glountance. The crowds were again apparent at the funeral mass there and at his burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Little Island. He died so suddenly that nobody got a chance to say goodbye. So. Tony, 'til we meet again in our Heavenly home, slán leat, a Anton. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Tony was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife Joan, his sons Diarmuid and Fergal, daughter Fiona, brothers, Sean and Michael, sisters St. Ita, Patsy, sisters-in-law Brenda and Nora, brother-in-law Johnny, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and friends. The family and extended family wish to thank the hospital and staff, the ambulance crew and staff and a very special thanks to the neighbours for food, care and concern. Thanks also to the undertakers, who conduced their affairs with dignity and professionalism and the parish priests and Fr Billy Foley SMA for the prayer-filled, consoling mass and ceremonies, especially the healing touch of the singing of the 'Rose of Tralee' at the final farewell. And to the gardai and member of the Ballyduff GAA Club who formed the guards of honour, a warm thank you too. You will be forever remembered in our prayers. Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye 13th March 2008 Tweet

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