The Timothy (Tim) Nestor

The death took place of Timothy (Tim) Nestor, from Lagaturrin, Balla on July 11, 2010, at the age of 74. One of the most-respected residents of the central Mayo area, Tim had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for a number of years, but his death was still a real shock for his family, and a huge number of neighbours and friends.

Tim was born in Kilgreana, Ballyglass, in April, 1936 into a family of four brothers and one sister. Having cycled to school in St Colman's in Claremorris from his home in Ballyglass for many years, Tim went on to work in McEllin's in Balla, Cuddy's in Claremorris and McCormack's in Tuam.

Tim and his beloved wife, Maureen, were married in Milltown Church in 1970, and subsequently, they reared a family of five- Deirdre, David, Orla, Tadhg and Niall.

Tim also worked for many years as a beet agent with the CSET in Tuam before moving on to work as a car salesman with Smiths in Castlebar and Tuam, and finally with PMPA in Loughrea.

Having worked all over Mayo, south Galway and indeed into Clare, Tim worked up a network of friends which lasted the test of time.

However, the love of land always stayed with Tim and he returned to his native Lagaturrin in 1973 to start farming lands known as Casey's which had been bought years previously.

Tim started from a green field site and slowly built up the beautiful house and enterprise that is now visible today. He was a proud farmer who worked at the coalface of the industry. He was a member of the Western Farming Co-op, the IFA and the ICMSA. He was also a lifelong member of the PTAA, receiving his gold pin three years ago in Crimlin Church from Archbishop Michael Neary. As that long list of associations show, Tim was always available to serve his community. He never sought the limelight, however.

Away from work, sport was Tim's great love, especially Gaelic football and he followed Mayo team through the good times and the bad.
While he worked in Tuam in the early 1950s, he played with the Tuam Stars club, and after moving back to Mayo he played for many years with Ballintubber GAA Club. Indeed, Tim's son David accepted an appreciation award from the president of the GAA, Christy Cooney, on behalf of his father, as part of the Centenary Celebrations of the Ballintubber Club on July 10. Many of Tim's team mates and friends reminisced at the function in Ballintubber about Tim's exploits on the field. They were all shocked to learn of his passing just 24 hours later.

Tim was a brave and honest player in the red of Ballintubber and those traits served him well in his protracted 12 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Tim was always in good form, was well known for his sense of humour and he never once complained during his fight with illness. Indeed he was always the one to lead the conversation about the topic of the day outside the church door on Sunday mornings.

Large crowds attended at Tim's removal and at his Requiem Mass in Balla Church, where the chief celebrant was Fr Denis Carney, PP, Balla, accompanied by Fr. Austin Fergus, PP, Mayo Abbey, and Fr. John Fallon, PP, Kilmaine. Tim was laid to rest after Mass in Balla Cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anamh dhilís.

Courtesy of The Mayo News
September 14th 2010 Tweet

Most Read Stories