McGrath, Vincent
May 20, 2008
Vincent McGrath, Ballyhale, Headford, who died recently following a relatively short illness, was a member of a well-known and prominent Kilmaine family. He and his family resided for many years in Reading, England until they returned to this region twelve years ago.
It was while working in England that he met and married Rose McNulty from Belderrig on the north Mayo coast. They raised a family of four, two sons and two daughters.
Vincent emigrated to Reading in the early 1960s at a time when many of his colleagues from the Kilmaine area were doing likewise. Reading was a popular destination for young people from the Kilmaine area in those years and many found work there, bought houses, settled down and reared their families.They formed the nucleus of an Irish colony and were much to the fore in the Irish Club while also supporting the several Irish hostelries in the West
Reading area.
Vincent became engrossed in the activities and welfare of his fellow exiles, mainly in the Irish Club and St Anthony's GAA Club. Both were primary focal points for the local Irish community.
Coming from a family immersed in the GAA (his brothers Joe and Des played senior for Mayo with Joe winning an All Star while PJ was a prominent referee who was in charge of the famous 1982
Offaly v Kerry All Ireland Final, it was only natural that Vincent should find himself closely associated with the St Anthony's Club in Reading. Prior to emigrating, he himself had played minor football with Mayo.
He served as both a player and administrator with St Anthony's
club. The high point of his involvement with the club was helping to secure a permanent playing pitch at Rivermead.
Vincent worked in the building industry all his life, thus maintaining a family tradition. He was an outstanding craftsman and was always in demand. Even when he retired to Ballyhale, he was much sought after in relation to his trade and he worked as normal up until the onset of his illness four months before his death.
Vincent and Rose and the family settled in Ballyhale, Headford
on their return from England. They quickly made new friends
while always maintaining contact with their many good friends
over in Reading.
He died at the family residence on Easter Sunday, March 23 at
the relatively young age of 62. He bore his illness with great dignity and courage right to the end.
Vincent was a kind and compassionate gentleman who gave of his time generously and unselfishly to his fellow exiles and his immediate family and friends. His greatest wish would be that the rest of us would follow that example.
Rose and the family have expressed their grateful thanks to the palliative care nurses who looked after Vincent in his final weeks, and also to Rev James O'Grady, PP, Canon Martin Newell, and
his cousin, Rev John McCormack, as well as the many people who travelled to the funeral from around Ireland and England. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The esteem in which he was held by his GAA colleagues was evidenced by the presence of a guard of honour from members of the St Anthony's GAA Club in Reading at the removal from Carey's
Funeral Home to St Mary's Church in Headford. After Requiem Mass in Headford church, burial took place in his native Kilmaine. Another
major guard of honour was in place in Kilmaine as a mark of respect to a gentleman who was held in such fond regard by all who knew him.
Vincent, who was predeceased by his brother Gerard and sister Geraldine, is deeply regretted by his wife Rose and family, Stephen, Ros, Vince and Louise, in-laws, grandchildren, brothers PJ, Cyril, Des and Joe; sisters Joan, Phil, Una and Mary; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Courtesy of the Mayo News
20 May 2008
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