Matthews, PJ
September 17, 2010The sudden death of PJ Matthews last Tuesday, September 7, deeply shocked all who knew him and particularly those living in Granard and Mullinalaghta where he was a stalwart in both communities.
PJ was very well-known in the locality and ran his own building company PJ Matthews and Sons. He was also vice-chairman of St Mary's GAA Club, was a life long supporter of St Columba's GFC and was also a member of Granard Chamber of Commerce.
PJ spent over 40 years in the building trade and was instrumental in the development of parts of Longford town, Granard and indeed beyond. PJ's firm was responsible for the construction of the Leader Park, Grian Ard and Grafton Court in Longford town and the company's most recent project in Granard, the development of a new state of the art shopping centre and public car park, is close to completion. A renowned builder, PJ was highly regarded for his great workmanship and attention to detail throughout all his projects.
PJ also had a great sense of community spirit and was deeply involved in a number of local organisations throughout his lifetime. He was an extremely popular vice-chairman at St Mary's GAA Club in Granard. A member of the club for over three decades, in recent years he spearheaded the development of St. Mary's new clubhouse and pitch, which was officially opened earlier this year.
On behalf of the club, Andrew Gethings said that PJ was "very well-known and respected in our local community".
"PJ will be sorely missed at the club, to be honest, he is irreplaceable," Mr Gettings said. "He was happy working in the background and supervised the work carried out with the greatest expertise."
As a member of Granard Chamber of Commerce for many years, PJ's knowledge, expertise and experience was always welcomed at the table.
PRO, Granard Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Durkin said that the community was deeply shocked and numbed by PJ's death.
"It so sad to see a man like PJ taken away in the prime of his life," said Mr Durkin. "PJ was a wealth of knowledge. He contributed so much to the community and cared so much about everyone and everything. It just won't be the same without him. He brought so much knowledge and expertise to the table and was generous to every committee he was on. He never forgot Granard and his infrastructural contribution to Granard has brought the town into a new age".
Speaking to the Leader, Cllr PJ Reilly paid tribute to PJ Matthews: "PJ Matthews was always good humoured, big-hearted and always willing to help out in the community. No matter how busy PJ Matthews was, he always had time for people and for local community work. He is going to be deeply missed."
The town of Granard came to a standstill last Thursday evening as PJ's remains were taken from his home in Ballymorris to St Mary's Church. The huge crowds that gathered to say a final farewell to the big-hearted and generous man was testament to the high esteem in which PJ Matthews and his family are held.
He is survived by his wife Marita (nee Bannon); sons: Pauraic, David and Trevor; brother of the late Bridie: sadly missed by his brothers John Eddie, Tony, Gerard, Martin, Oliver and Colm, sisters Mary, Eilish and Gretta, his mother-in-law Brigid, daughter-in-law Sinead, brothers-in-law Seamus, Eddie, Paul, Tommy and Jim, sisters-in-law Helen, Rosemary, Ann, Sheila, Josephine, Frances and Jackie, aunt, uncle, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.
PJ Matthews was laid to rest at the new cemetery in Granard following funeral Mass last Friday morning. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.
Courtesy of The Longford Leader
17th September 2010 Tweet
