Joe Fahey, The Garage, Hollymount, who died recently, was an institution in his home area down through the decades. While Joe was in Hollymount, there was always a sense of permanence about the place. People who emigrated from the area and who returned on vacation would notice many changes, but Joe was a 'constant' that always reminded them of their own time in the region. Joe, and his late wife Margaret, raised a family of eight children and they were very much at the heart of their daily lives. The Fahey family has indeed been synonymous with the village down through the decades. The garage and Hollymount was Joe's universe. Through fifty plus years in the garage, Joe dedicated his life to buying, selling and fixing trucks, cars, tractor and bicycles and rescuing those that were broken down on the roads. He never said no to anyone who was in bother, whether it was Christmas Day or 4am, it didn't matter. He never ever left anyone stuck. One man commented: "He never let anyone walk." In many ways, it summed up so much about Joe. He worked long, hard hours in the garage and did so right up until the day he took ill, filling petrol, fixing things and taking care of his beloved customers and really appreciated them calling. Joe had a passion for the land and animals and very much enjoyed farming. You would often spot him on a summer's morning at 5am rolling the land. He believed in rising early, working hard and wasn't one for holidays although on occasions travelled to his daughter on the Cayman Islands, to the United States, and more recently to Fatima on a short vacation. He was a wonderful storyteller, and if you called for petrol or were in a hurry, you were in bother if Joe was in the mood to tell yarns. There was noone to match the wit and fun, and he had the ability to cheer anyone up. Joe faced challenging and difficult times. He lost his wife, Margaret, in 1980, at the age of 46. His hard work, kindness and faith kept him going in these times. He got alot of support from his very loving and kind neighbours, both in Gortnashammer, Hollymount and a the garage and he was so very grateful and he was so very grateful for his support all his life. He spent his teenage years in Cloonfad, where he worked for Jim and Babe McDonagh, parents of Tina Morley, Claremont, Claremorris. He called them Mam and Dad because they treated him like their own son. He drove a hackney car for Jim and Babe, and he also recounted tales of his exploits in those days, which included bringing people to Cove to catch the boat to America. he made many dear friends in Cloonfad and held them all very close to his heart. Joe was a great handballer and footballer, winning a Junior County Final with Hollymount in 1956. He also played football with Logboy in his early days. His late brothers, Michael, John and Tommy were also synonymous with Hollymount football. All of them were absolute gentlemen off the pitch and were all tough men on it. He loved the GAA and supported many games, especially ones that had family associations. He loved to support his grandchildren when they were playing their matches. Occasionally he did struggle to shout support for them when they were playing against Hollymount. There is a story of him supporting his nephew Robert Blacoe, who was togged out for Hollymount about 20 years ago. During the match, Robert was hit by his marker. Uncle Joe took off running onto the pitch after the culprit, despite Joe being half the player's size! Joe was one of a family of eight, born to Mary and Tom Fahey, Lehinch, Hollymount. There were five sons and three daughters in the family. He was predeceased by his brothers, Paddy (Christian Brother), Tommy and Michael John. He helped out many people and organisations throughout his life, never wanting platitudes, he did it quietly and Christian-like and people wont forget that kindness. Joe died peacefully on November 30 in the kind care of the staff of the Claremount Nursing Home after a long illness borne with great dignity. The community paid their respects to Joe by their attendance in huge numbers on December 1 at his removal from Donnellan's funeral home, Claremorris. Thousands of people paid their respects to a good Christian man who was known far and wide as 'Joe Fahey, The Garage, Hollymount." Another large crowd gathered the next day for Joe's funeral mass. The parish priest, Fr Michael Molloy spoke of how Joseph was held in high esteem in the community and beyond, always having a good word for everyone. He quoted one woman as saying "if you were in a bad mood and called to get petrol off Joe, you'd be in a good mood coming home." The concelebrants were Joe's dear friend, Fr Ollie McNamara, Fr John McCormac, Fr Des fahey, Fr John Cosgrove and Fr JJ Cribbin. Pat Noone, from Claremorris, a family friend, was the soloist at the funeral mass, and as Joe was taken to his place of rest, Pat sang 'It is no secret what God can do', which was Joe's own very special party piece. He is survived by his family Frank, Marie, Teresa, patty, Anne, Joseph, John and Karol; his brother, Frank (Dublin); sisters, Mai Canny (Kilrush, Hollymount), teresa hornton (Clooncormack, Hollymount) and Angela Blacoe (Athlone); grandchildren Niamh, Darren, Saorla, Josh, Liam, Ciara, Jack, Iona, Maggie, Shauna, Abbiegayle and Isla; sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; the extended family; friends and the local community. Joe's month mind mass is on January 1 at 8pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roundfort. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Mayo News, 23/12/08 Tweet

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