The death took place last week following a brief illness of Frank Heaney, Ballyglass, Scardaune. Frank was one of the best-known people in the region and the family has operated a business and provisions supply outlet in the village for many decades.

Frank was synonymous with Ballyglass and Garrymore down through the years. The family roots were in the agricultural business and he retained a major interest in the farming scene to the very end. He was also a passionate supporter of everything to do with Garrymore GAA Club, relishing the golden era of the 1979's and 80s when the club won six Mayo senior titles.

He married Maudette Gill from nearby Scardaune and they raised a family of three daughters, Edel, Elaine and Rosario. All three were immensely talented when it came to music and they won numerous Mayo, Connacht and All Ireland Scor na nOg titles with Garrymore during their young years. Frank and Maudette were very proud of their achievements, and even more so because it propelled the name of Garrymore into the top echelons. Local Garrymore woman, Kathleen Corcoran, was also hugely instrumental in promoting the ethos of Scor during that time.

Frank and Maudette had a passion for travel and visited many countries over the years. They looked forward in a special way to those trips and meeting up with friends. Back home in Ballyglass, Frank and the family provided a valued service to the local community. Heaneys was very much at the heart of that community going back to former times when neighbours gathered for card games in the family home.

Many travelled long distances to attend the funeral ceremonies including former neighbour Martin Fitzpatrick who was up from Limerick to pay his respects. There was an overflow congregation for the funeral Mass on Monday. The chief celebrant was Fr JJ Cribben, a friend of the family, who spoke eloquently of Frank's role in the community life of the region. Edel, Elaine and Rosario provided the music and hymns while Elaine paid a special tribute to her dad at the end of Mass. Interment took place in Ballyglass cemetery, just down the fields from the family home. Members of Garrymore GAA club formed a guard of honour on both days as a special tribute to one of their most loyal supporters.

Frank, who was predeceased by his sister Mary in the USA around 20 years ago, is survived by his wife Maudette, daughters Edel, Elaine and Rosario, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers Paddy (Ballyglass), Paul (Milltown) and John Joe (America), sister Nora Cunningham (Milltown), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

- Courtesy of Mayo News, 10th January 2012 Tweet

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