The late James Maguire The death occurred peacefully in the loving care of his family at his residence of James Maguire, Clonelly, Moyne on Friday 9th March, 2007. In his 93rd year the deceased was prominent in farming circles for many decades. A man with a great outlook on life he endeared himself to many with his common sense and his ability to look life in the eye. He was always upfront when it came to expressing his opinions and his views were widely respected. He was blessed with good health and a wonderful memory which he retained right up to his right to the end. The years that he spent as a student in the old Latin school proved to be a great help to him in later years. Born in Firmullagh, for some time after leaving school he operated the Moyne Co-op threshing machine with considerable success in his native Dromard as well as across the boarder in Co. Leitrim. This writer had many fond memories of James especially the Christmas Eve of 1942 when both of us cycled to midnight mass in St Mel's Cathedral con-celebrated by most Rev De McNamee Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois assisted by many priests and afterwards we broke our fast in Malone's Restaurant which was situated close to the old post office in Longford Town and eventually we approved back at Legga Cross about 3.30am. The following September a meeting was held in the Latin School with the object of affiliating a football team. As a member of the executive James played a leading role, when times were not as good as today, in organising barn and house dances which provided the necessary finance for Dromard to field a team against Ballinamuck in the spring of 1944. This team went from success to success and in 1946 brought the first Senior Championship to the Parish. Later JAmes came to live in Clonnelly when he married Nelly Jones and between them they reared a fine family of five boys and four girls of whom they can now feel justly proud. Sadly one of the children, Julia, passed away at a comparatively early age. A man of a deeply religious nature, his christian faith was very important to him and it guided and shaped his outlook on life. He had a great devotion to the mass and the eucharist and even in the final months of his life he never was absent, until a few weeks ago, from the Sunday Mass. His remains were received at St Mary's Church, Legga by his nephew Rev. Fr Gerard Brady, PP, Newtowncashel and Rev Fr Eamonn Corkery, PP Dromard. His funeral mass on Monday 12th March 2007 was concelebrated by Rev Fr. Eamonn Corkery, PP Dromard. His funeral mass on Monday 12th March 2007 was concelebrated by Rev Fr Brady and Rev Fr Corkery and afterwards he was laid to rest in Tubberpatrick Cemetery beside his beloved wife Nelly, who pre-deceased him some three years ago. Both the removal and funeral were of large proportions, with many coming long distances to pay their last respects. Deepest sympathy is tendered to his sorrowing family, sons Joe, Gerard and Hugh in the USA, Mel and Tommy in Clonelly, daughters Marie in Ennis, Co. Clare Kathleen in Swords and Helen in Malahide, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. May his soul Rest In Peace. Courtesy of the Longford Leader 30 March 2007 Tweet

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