The late Seamus Butler Seamus, a native of Jamestown, and an outstanding footballer in his youth, died on Tuesday 19 December 2006, in Mullingar. He lived on the Battery Road, Longford, where I interviewed him, years ago, concerning his memories of Fr Sean Manning (of whom he was a great admirer). My records show that Seamus was a dashing forward with St Mels and Leinster 1939-41. He even played for Co. Longford Minors in 1940 at the request of Fr Manning. He played a while with Annaduff and Fenagh and, later with Galway clubs. He told me himself that he played one match with Co. Leitrim Seniors. That was against Galway in 1941. From 1942-46 (during the War) he played with Co. Galway. In 1945 he was playing left half back and held ace forward Mick Tubridy, of Cork, scoreless in the All Ireland semi-final. In 1947 he played for Co Roscommon and they reached the All-Ireland semi-final. When Roscommon played Cavan in the Wembley Tournament, London, Seamus, an engineer by profession, decided he would stay on in London as Britain rebuilt itself. Seamus was aged about 85 and was an uncle of Postman Pauric Butler, Jamestown. He is survived by his wife Ann and two children Caroline and Councillor Seamus. To them and to all of his relatives and friends we offer sincerest sympathies. Courtesy of The Leitrim Observer 29 December 2006 The late Jim Butler It was with great sadness that the people of Longford heard of the sad passing of Jim Butler who died shortly before Christmas. A well-respected businessman in the town for over thirty-five years, Jim was actually born in Jamestown in Leitrim in 1922. However, as a boarder in St Mel's College, Longford swiftly became an integral part of Jim's landscape and, as well as excelling as a student there, Jim also displayed great prowess on the football field, going on to win three Leinster Senior Championship medals with the renowned boarding school. Indeed, Gaelic games would continue to play a huge part in Jim's life; as an adult he played for four separate "counties" over the course of his sporting career, winning two Senior Connacht titles with Galway and Roscommon, several Sigerson Cup medal. As well as a handful of accolades with Leitrim and London. After qualifying as an engineer in 'University College Galway, Jim moved to London in 1947 where he was one of the first civil engineers involved in the building of Heatrow Airport. In 1952, Jim married his wife, Ann and the couple moved to Scotland where Jim worked in open cast mining. They returned to London in 1959 where once more, Jim became involved with a high profile project: the building of the Dartford Tunnell underneath the River Thames. Following a number of years in England, Jim decided to strike out on his own as a civil engineering contractor and returned to Ireland in 1970 where he set up his own company, Abbey Construction Ltd, in Longford along with his nephew, Joe Early. The compnay won its first major contract from Longford Co Council in 1971 for the Lough Gowna Regional Water Supply and continued to carry out numerous major water supply and sewerage schemes in the Miidlands and North West including the Ballymahon Regional Water Supply and the Longford Central Water Supply. In 1978, Jim's son, Seamus joined the company and during the mid-eighties the company was re-structured and re-named Butler Manufacturing Services Ltd. However, Jim remained as Chairman of the company and still played a very active role in the running of Butler Manufacturing right up until his death. Apart from his business, another major passion in Jim's life was golf. A former Club Captain and Club President of Longford Golf Club, Jim was an accomplished middle handicap golfer and a keen competitor in inter-club events. As well as this, Jim also took a huge interest in the development of the Club itself and was a huge physical and administrative help in the 1970s and 1980s when the Club was transformed from a nine to 18 hole course. Described by his dear friend, Lal Donlon (RIP) as "the nice Mr Butler", Jim was very well regarded among those who knew him for his determination, honesty and fearlessness. His forthright manner belied an extremely kind and generous man and his softer side certainly came through with is grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud. Jim is deeply regretted by his loving wife Ann, his daughter Caroline, his son Seamus as well as his beloved grandchildren. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Longford Leader 05 January 2007 Tweet

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