The late Paddy Whelan The death took place on September 6th, 2006 of Patrick (Paddy) Whelan of 1266 St. Evin's Monasterevin and formerly of Portlaoise. He was 67. He lived a full and active life right up until his hospitalisation at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise only three days before he passed away, peacefully in the company of all his family. There was a large and representative turnout at his funeral which reflected the high regard and respect in which he was held in his adopted community where he lived for over forty years. He had served in the Defence Forces from 1959 to 1980 with the 3rd Battalion and the Military Police in Kildare and the Curragh Camp. He had been deployed with the UN peacekeepers to the Congo in 1960 and during his years following his retirement as Sergeant from the army he kept in close contact with his former comrades. A guard of honour was provided at his removal by members of Post 27 of the UN Veterans. A bearer party from the Military Police headed by Major Benny Weldon from the he Curragh Command carried his coffin draped in the tricolour at his funeral. A guard of honour at his funeral was provided by members of the Ros Glas Club, representing the great sporting love of his life, hurling. Paddy was always a great community man and voluntary endeavour came as second nature to him. He worked with local clubs and organisations right up until the time of his death. He was a founder member of the St Evin's Park Residents Association, the Ros Glas GAA Club and the Monasterevin Railway Action Committee which successfully managed to campaign for the reopening of the local train station. He was also involved in the Community Council, tidy towns, community games, and retired in 1996 as a FAS supervisor after being involved in a number of local projects including the acclaimed riverside park. He loved all sports, particularly gaelic games and had played hurling way back with the Rovers in Portlaoise and later refereed and coached extensively. His other interests included gardening, a fond interest in wildlife and he always kept a dog, his most recent canine campaign a basset hound, 'Ceasar'. Over the past ten years he got the opportunity to travel extensively with his wife Anne to many parts of the world where his outgoing personality always saw him forging new friendships. His funeral Mass at SS Peter and Paul's church, Monasterevin was celebrated by his old friend Father Denis O'Sullivan assisted by the Very REv Fr Liam Merrigan. The readings were by his daughter Caroline and granddaughter Faith. The gifts at the offertory were brought up by his grandchildren Mandy, Tadgh and Laura. Before the funeral Mass concluded an adaptation of one of his school poems by Darren Harrison in tribute to his granddad was read by Trish Whelan. Killed in Action His chair at the table, empty. His home clothes hanging in rows forlorn. His hurley stick and cap, his walking stick The new flannel shirt he had not worn. His dog, restless, with tortured ears Listening for his swift, light tread upon the path. And there - his voice! Oh his voice! Hush! Hold your tears. Paddy Whelan is survived by his loving wife Anne, sons, John, Jimmy and Paul, daughters, Trish, Caroline, Roisin and Beatrice, brothers, sisters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. Courtesy of The Leinster Express 13/09/2006 Tweet

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