Tobin, Christy
June 26, 2010Former docker and lifelong sporting enthusiast
Christy 'Nockey' Tobin of Lee Estates spent his entire working life as a labourer on Limerick's docks and was buried the day before the dockers monument was finally unveiled on Spokane Walk last week.
His son, also named Christy, said: "It was ironic. The mayor mentioned my father in his speech. In those days, health and safety didn't exist so the working conditions would have been very poor. I work in health and safety now myself and he used to tell me stories that would make me cringe. But in those days you just did it, whatever the work was, whatever the weather. Everything was manual, so it was not easy work."
A lifelong sport enthusiast, Mr Tobin was honoured at his funeral by his two former clubs, Ballynanty Rovers and St Mary's Parish GAA club, with the flags of each draped over his coffin.
"He was a quiet, proud and dignified man. Those are the three words I'd use to beat describe him. He loved nearly every sport under the sun," Christy Junior said.
Born and bred in St Mary's parish, Christy Tobin played with Ballynanty Rovers soccer club for many years and was the first player to be capped at junior international level in the 1960's. Christy Junior grew up listening to stories about his father as a great sporting hero who was "very quick on the wing".
Christy was one of the founding members of St Mary's GAA club in St Mary's parish in the 1970's a club which was sadly wrapped up over 15 years ago.
"The club is gone out of existence a long time now, but some of the older members of the club got together and got a club flag made to cover the coffin. Nobody asked them to do it but the lads got together and did it by themselves. They asked me if they could put it on the coffin and I said I would be honoured. His coffin was draped with the Ballynanty Rovers flag as well, so he had two flags. It would have been his pride and joy to see that,"
Christy Junior said.
Over the years Christy occupied nearly every position within the clubs, including chairman, secretary and treasurer. He was also a keen Munster rugby fan in his later years.
His other sons Declan and Gary now work with the Limerick title company and Antifyre respectively, while daughter Sharon works at home.
Christy's older brother, Pat, lives in Leeds where he runs his own aluminium door and window business with his own son. A healthy man nearly all his life, Christy spent the last three years battling cancer before he passed away at Milford Hospice at the age of 70.
"My family and I would like to convey our appreciation to everyone at Milford Hospice for all the wonderful work they do,"
Christy Junior said.
He told the Limerick Leader that the origins of his father's Knickname remain a mystery to this day.
"He was called Nockey but we still cant figure out where it came from. He was called that all his life, and when I started playing soccer they called me Nockey Tobin too. I didn't appreciate it as a young lad playing, but I do now," Christy Junior said.
One of the most touching moments at Christy's funeral came when a letter was read out from his granddaughter, Carla, who is working as a nurse in Australia and couldn't make it to the mass.
"It summed up a lot of things about him, her memories of her grandfather and what he meant to her. There wasn't a dry eye in the church after that. It was very poignant and a lovely letter," Christy Junior, Carla's father said.
Christy 'Nockey' Tobin is survived by his beloved wife Teresa, sons Christy, Declan, Gary and daughter Sharon. He is also deeply regretted by his brother Pat, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, nephews, relatives and friends. His removal was from Griffin's funeral home, Pennywell, last Wednesday evening and his funeral mass took place at St. Mary's Church. He was laid to rest in Castlemungret Cemetery. Any donations his memory can be given to Milford Hospice.
Christy Tobin; born December 27 1939, died June 14 2010
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader 26/6/10 Tweet
