One of Callan's great gentlemen passed away on June 9th after enduring illness over the past four years, Charlie Fitzpatrick departed this life at the very young age of 66. His twin brother Leo died last year at the younger are of 65. As Charlies wife Philomena told, 'They were so close all their lives and if one had a sneeze it was guaranteed the other would also have the same symptoms. Charlie was born in Cappagh near Ballintaggart in the parish of Ballingarry on April 11th 1947 to Tom and Molly Fitzpatrick. In total there were thirteen children with two dying in infancy, Charlie went to Mohober school and at the age of 14 he was employed as an apprentice carpenter/joiner at the famous Carrolls of Ballintaggart.

After twenty years service with Carrolls Charlie moved into Kilkenny to work with Cantwells who were based at Butts Green, from there he came back to Callan to work with Holden's Guttering for 5 years and then moved to Woodlands Joinery for a further 6 years. In 2001 Charlie encountered the first of his long term illness and was forced to step back from active work life, but had the fortune to be placed with the Kilkenny Social services on a part time bases and loved his involvement there, driving people to different centers as well as helping with meals on wheels. In between his working life he met a young Callan lady. Philomena Kearney stole Charlies heart when they met in Bill Egans cinema on Green Street in 1961.

The cinema was on the site of where Super Valu is today and it was where many of the marriages in Callan came from. After a long courtship they married in 1968 and lived with Philomena's parents for 6 years before moving to their new house on Mill Street in 1974. Charlie loved the outdoor life and especially fishing and shooting. He and his late brother Leo hunted from an early age, they had so much in common and if one met both together it would be difficult to differentiate. Charlie also called the bingo at the Cariton Ballroom in Kilkenny twice a week for 25 years and also at Callan Parish for 20 years on a voluntary basis. The one thing that Charlie was sure of was his origins and despite living in County Kilkenny most of adult life he was a Tipperary man through and through and at every opportunity his house would be festooned with the Blue and Gold and Philomena wasn't to be outdone as she draped the Black and Amber across or beside the arch enemy colours. But he also loved the John Lockes and with young fellows hurling like Paddy and Kevin both he and Philomena travelled the county and beyond ferrying teams to games for many year.

They both attended many of the John Lockes games over the years and Philomena also made flags for the club which were used OB the surrounds of the pitch. He loved coming to John Locke Park to sit and watch training. He was a regular on the bench along the wall. Some years ago Charlie made a number of seats which were placed inside the wall near the old dressing rooms.

All were painted in the familiar colours of the John Lockes. Now the official colours of the Lockes are Saffron and Blue but there is no doubt Charlie was been mischievous when painting the seats and no doubt to him they were the Blue and Gold of his native Tipperary. With the new development at John Locke Park the seats had to be moved, but were safely stored and a new home will be found for them at John Locke Park once all development is completed.
His passing marked a sad time for the community, he will be missed by friends and especially fellow Gaels, but for his family it is a huge void in their lives. His children Thomas, Anne, Mark, Kevin, Paddy and Charles junior will miss their dad, but for Philomena she has lost her soul mate and that is a void that is hard to repair but knowing the strength of the little lady she will make the most of life because that is what Charlie would wish for and all ready she has taken over calling the bingo at Callan Parish Hall on Sunday nights.

Charlie wished to waked in his own home and his family, granted that wish. He was removed to Callan Parish church on 11th June and his burial took place at Kilbride on the 12th after Requiem mass celebrated by Parish priest Father Willie Dalton. A fitting send off for Charlie was the singing of Slievenamon at his burial.
Farewell to a great family man and a wonderful loyal Gael. Charlie is also survived by brothers Patrick and Thomas and sisters Betty, Brigid, Ina, Marion and Judy as well as grandchildren, nephews and nieces and of course by neighbours and friends.

Courtesy of The Kilkenny People Tweet

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