The Late Bill Brennan The sudden death of Bill Brennan, late of Smithstown and formerly of Florence Terrace, has evoked great sadness in the Castlecomer area. The larger-than-life character touched the hearts of so many in sporting, social, army and working circles. When the news filtered through on Friday that he had lost his brave battle at St James' Hospital in Dublin, it sent shock waves through the town. A comparatively young man, he was just 51 years of age. Almost all of his working days were spent in the defence forces and he was stationed at James Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny. He joined the army in 1984 and went on to serve twice overseas in Lebanon with the UN Peace Keeping Forces. In his younger days he played basketball locally, hurled and kicked football with Erin's Own GAA Club and also managed to give sterling services to the soccer club both on and off the field of play. As a no-nonsense defender, his career started with Comer United and finally Deen Celtic. More recently he managed schoolboys' teams and this year he was involved with the under-15's. He was an active committee man and never shirked responsibility whenever the call came. On the social scene. Bollard's was his home away from home and few would dare to argue over a game, especially if his beloved Arsenal were involved. A familiar face on New Year's Day, he was one of the famous Major Regrets; how he managed to have a different attire each year remains a mystery. Locally he was the proprietor of the famous Bill Bus, a local taxi which ferried commuters across North Kilkenny. His bark was always worse than his bite but what you saw with Bill Brennan was exactly what you got. Behind all the bravado, he had a heart of gold and was involved in several acts of kindness that were always carried out with recognition. Popular and well liked, the huge turnout at the obsequies bore testimony to the high regard in which his family is held in the area. As the cortege made its way to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, it was accompanied by a guard of honour comprising Deen Celtic FC and Wellie Race Committee/Major Regrets. Burial with full military honours took place in the parish cemetery after Mass celebrated in the church of the the Immaculate Conception by Fr Tom Corcoran CC Castlecomer (Chief Celebrant), assisted by Mgr Michael Ryan PP Muckalee; Fr Tom Touhy Chaplain, Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny and Fr Ger Dowd, Chaplain, Athlone Military Barracks. He is survived by his wife Helena; daughter Maria; son Jamie; brother Tom (Bradford, England), Bobby (Bradford,England), Andy, Johnny, Martin, Michael, Seamus; sisters Margaret (USA), Mary (Mountmellick), Nellie, Cara (London, England) other relatives and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of The Kilkenny People 1/6/'07 Tweet

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