The late Gordon Milne On Friday, September 8th, 2006 Gordon Milne Peace Commissioner passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in his home in Wolfe Tone Street, Mountmellick. As word spread throughout Mountmellick and his native Ballyfin and indeed throughout the county and beyond, people in many walks of life and representing many interests recalled memories and spoke fondly of a kind and gentle man who endeared himself to many by way of his many interests and hobbies. Gordon was a keen sports enthusiast and enjoyed all sporting activities. His particular interest of course was Gaelic Games, he was a regular attender in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise and in Croke Park. His last outing to Croke Park was for the first of the Laois/Mayo matches in August 2006. He was particularly proud of his native Ballyfin and of course at all times supported his beloved GAA Club. He played hurling for the club throughout the 1940's and '50s. He retired to the Officer Board in the sixties and served in many positions but most particularly he was best remembered as club treasurer. He served in that position for many years. Gordon attended every match that his club played in and always visited the dressing room before and after each game. Gordon was never known to cut short a story, particularly if it was one related to a Ballyfin victory. Gordon also had more than a keen interest in the political life of the country and from a very early age he became involved in the Fianna Fail party. He began as a member of the Ballyfin Fianna Fail Cumann and later after moving to Mountmellick he joined the Cumann in Mountmellick. He served as Chairman of the Cumann for many years and also as Chairman of th Mountmellick Fianna Fail Electoral Area District Executive - the Comhairle Cheantair. Gordon was also a member of the Laois Fianna Fail County Executive - the Laois Comhairle Dail Cheantair and he relished in attending the annual Fianna Fail Ard Fheiseanna as a delegate from the Mountmellick Cumann. He will be sorely missed by the party particularly at election time when he excelled as a canvas their support for Fianna Fail party candidates. Gordon also enjoyed his years working initially for Ennis & Company, Mountmellick and later for Henry Denny & Co. and he maintained the friendship that he made with the employees of both companies and their customers. He was before everything else a devoted family man. He and his wife Mary were always together at matches, social functions and indeed he passed away at noon on that Friday in the company of Mary. Gordon at every opportunity spoke fondly of his native Ballyfin and in particular of Knocknakern. In fulfilment of his wishes Gordon's removal took place to St John's Baptist Church, Ballyfin for funeral service and burial in the eh adjoining Church year. He was accompanied on his final journey by a Guard of Honour drawn by the Fianna Fail party and the Gaelic Athletic Association. Even though he moved to live in Mountmellick upon getting married in 1967, his heart and soul remained in Ballyfin. Today he rests in his native soil. While he will be fondly missed by his friends and political and sporting associates, nobody will miss him more than the family he cherished, Mary his wife, his daughter Margaret, his son Robert and his daughter-in-law Grace and grandson Stanley. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam Dilis. Courtesy of The Leinster Express 27 September 2006 Tweet

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