The late Bob Cole In the early hours of Sunday morning January 7th, 2006 the untimely death occurred of Robert (Rob) Cole of Tonduff, Abbeyleix. Bob, aged 61, passed away peacefully in the bosom of his family at his home after a short but protracted illness. Bob was the youngest member of one of the longest standing and best respected families in Abbeyleix and its surroundings. He is survived by his loving wife Colette (nee O'Neill), his sons Robbie, Ricky, Damien, David and Stephen, his brothers and sisters Hugh, Joan, Jack, Andrew J, Oliver, Harold and Frances, grandchildren Ian, Abbie, Lee, Eireann, Tara and Danny, daughters-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. To say that the late Bob was a larger then life character would be an understatement. He was famous in his own locality and far beyond for his good nature, chirpy personality and quick wittiness. He was a man of many talents being adept in his journeys into the motor trade, being skillfull and astute as a gaelic football mentor and selector and of course having no fears when it came to judgement, preparation and the fine tuning of greyhounds. Bob has played a huge part in Abbeyleix GAA for well over two decades being heavily involved with first time juvenile football teams and following their success through the ranks. Largely through his hard work and dedication the club now plays football at intermediate level. Bob and Colette were jointly honoured with club people of the year award in 2006. It is probably through his long involvement with greyhounds (the dogs) that Bob was best known. With his family he ran one of the best known schooling tracks in the Midlands and housed many dogs at his kennels both of his own and those that required his unique training skills. He was on numerous occasions involved in the successes of dogs in the highest quality of races locally, nationally and even internationally. It can be stated no more clearly that what was said by an old dog man; "Bob had forgotten more about dogs than most men will ever know about dogs". The great respect and esteem in which he was held was best demonstrated by the huge numbers of people that attended his wake and the rosary at his home. Bob's arrival at Abbeyleix Chapel was flanked by a GAA Club guard of honour. There was also a big turnout at his funeral Mass which was celebrated by Fr P Kehoe PE, Fr B Larkin PP (suncroft), Fr S Conlon PP (Callinakill), and Fr G Aherne PP (Abbeyleix) and at his internment at St Patrick's Cemetery Abbeyleix. There is little doubt that Abbeyleix has lost an icon and this loss will be manifest for some time to come. The angels now embrace him A husband, friend, a dad We must close our eyes and picture Those magic times we had. The memory of your being Will help us all to face A world that now without you Is a sadder kind of place. Ar dheis De go raibh a h'ainm dhilis. Your friend NJM. Courtesy of The Leinster Express 17 January 2007 Tweet

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