Paul Greenan who died last Tuesday, October 21st after a short illness was a legend of the business community in the town of Mohill and surrounding areas. He ran a thriving retail outlet in the town for over 40 years, he was the quintessential entrepreneur who was ever progressive and forward thinking. He worked tirelessly to build up a landmark premises, and in latter times has been joined by his son Fintan (which he privately confided in me was a source of great satisfaction and contentment to him as he handed over the 'baton'), working together, they further developed this flagship business, known universally as 'Paul's.' Paul business acumen came from "The School Of Life," having served his time in the famous Quinn's Of Mohill, before starting his own shop in his early twenties. His foresight, enthusiasm and his eternal optimism were the hallmarks of Paul, ad they never wanted even after a life time spent "behind the counter." He was the ultimate salesman, with a friendly word for all his customers, and an almost photographic memory of people's name and faces. In recent times, with his son Fintan's return to the business, Paul had more time to have a joke or a banter in his inimitable style with all who passed through the shop on a daily basis. He was a dedicated Mohill man, who was a proud member of the 1971 Senior Championship winning team and took a great interest in all sports where any Mohill team was involved. Indeed as recently as August, when Mohill girls won the All Ireland Community Games Basketball, Paul was on hand to fill the trophy with 7Up, and provided water to the team after their Connaught success. He loved all things which helped to promote the town, being a member of several committees and a well known and high regarded figure at the Mohill Agriculture Showgate for decades. His generosity was never attention seeking, but the numerous deeds of kindness and benefaction he displayed quietly and without fuss were another sometimes unknown side about Paul. He was full of life, full of ideas, full of plans, full of inventions, full of anecdotes, and above all, was full of his family life. His family was paramount and he was immensely proud (and rightly so) of Fintan, Ciara, Shane, Brian and Brid. He sometimes spoke in a quiet moment of reflection of their great achievements and Paul was always a supportive advisor, counsel and helper in their lives. His wife Josephine was Paul's guiding light, he spoke f her with great affection and they have been an exemplary couple in Mohill for over 40 years. Paul was an acute business man, who had that rare capacity to change and adopt to business through the 70's, 80's, 90's and up to the present day. The two outstanding love and devotions of his life were his business and his family and both remain as a lasting credit to his memory. I came to get to know him as a youngster meeting outside Paul's in the 70's, as every sports team from Mohill assembled outside Paul's (and still to this day) prior to travelling to football matches. Paul knew every youngster in Mohill for over four decades, he remembered their parents and grandparents and in the much more innocent days of the 70's to win a title and the obligatory return to 'Paul's' for the celebratory filling of the cup with lemonade was akin to an All-Ireland for the starry-eyed underage teams at the time. "Without that return to 'Paul's' the original assembly point and 'post match analysis' with conversations about the match, the victory, or as it often happened, the defeat was not complete. Paul would invariably have his own thoughts, ideas, reasons for defeat or victory as the case might be and was always ready to impart his own incomparable analysis of the match. 'Paul's' as a meeting place for teams will live on in memory and will never be forgotten. In more recent times, my relationship with Paul developed from purely a business contact, (he was a regular, loyal and much appreciated customer who always conducted his affairs with propriety and decency) to a personal friendship. He would call to me at least twice a week (he never heard of a front door) and would breeze through the back door (or as he said himself "boul in") and in the blink of a eye, Paul would be sitting at the table beside me. We had memorable chats over the customary cup of tea and biscuits, with Paul having a great knowledge of innumerable subjects, but ultimately the conversation would revert back to business and Paul would place his order and in a flash, he was gone, maybe to be followed up by a phone call minutes later to say he needed delivery urgently. This was Paul, the great man I got to know and respect. He had great wisdom and was a source of much valuable and intelligent advice which he gave with the utmost dignity and resect. Paul was a man of his word, one could depend on Paul if you needed help and his reliability, decency and loyalty could never be doubted. He was a genuine person, as they say "What you see was what you got," no hidden agendas. In fact, the last conversation we had (just days before the untimely passing) he phoned me with an order, his thoughts were not of despair but of hope and optimism for the future. Paul was known far and wide, wherever people travelled to, somebody might say "Do you know Paul Greenan from Mohill," he left an indelible mark on those he encountered, and the congenial Paul joked that he firmly put Mohill on the map. According to Paul when he visited the famous F.C. Barcelona Stadium "The Bernabeau," even the great Ronaldinho was delighted to meet Paul Greenan from Mohill on the hallowed pitch. Alas, Paul has left us, his likes will never be seen in Mohill again, he was a one-off. a gentleman, a businessman extraordinaire, a man of deep faith, a model husband and Father. Farewell my old friend Paul, but not goodbye. Requiescat in pace J.D. Paul's removal took place on Thursday October 23 to St Patrick's Church, Mohill, followed by Funeral Mass and burial in the adjoining cemetery on Friday, October 24. Paul is survived by his loving wife Josephine and children Ciara, Fintan, Brian, Shane, Brid, in-laws John. Suzanne and Cathy, and granddaughter Gaby. He was a great friend to the Leitrim Observer over the years and his visits to the office will be sadly missed by all here who knew him and held him in high regard. on behalf of the Editor and Staff, we would like to express our sincere sympathy to Paul's family.May he rest in peace. Leitrim Observer, 31/10/08 Tweet

Most Read Stories