The Late William Conlon William Conlon, Mount Street, Claremorris spent 45 years of his working life with C.I.E. in the town. Known to all as "Son", he was a central player at the heart of the community life of Claremorris down through the decades. News of his sudden death caused widespread shock and sadness throughout the region where Son commanded the height of respect and regard. He and his wife Maureen (nee Ruane from Cloonbook, Brickens) were a hugely popular local couple and contributed enormously to various groups and associations in Claremorris. Everyone who ever worked in Claremorris C.I.E. Station since around 1940 knew Son Conlon. He was intimately associated with the life of the railway station and had a vast knowledge of the people and families who served with the company. A man with a great fondness for people, Son endeared himself to many and he served as a foreman at the station, mainly in the area dealing with "goods", for 40 years. He had a wonderful sense of loyalty and idealism and was a most conscientious and dedicated worker. Son was part of that generation of people who had a firm belief in the need for the State to provide the necessary social services for the good of the country at large. They did not believe in the privatisation of such assets for the profits to be creamed off by a handful of crafty capitalists. As secretary of the N.A.T.E. Union, Son always had the interest of members at heart. A man of great common sense, his views carried much weight and he was an able champion for his colleagues. In the 1940s, he joined the L.D.F. and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1946. He served another six years with them before retiring in 1952. Son had a great sense of "community" and he lent his support on a voluntary basis to various ventures. He helped organise and run several dances for St. Colman's College after it was opened in the mid 1940s. He was treasurer of Claremorris GAA club for eight years during which time he made a major contribution through his clear thinking and guidance which served the club so well. He enjoyed football and was a life-long supporter of gaelic games. Kind and considerate, Son always treated members with great respect and this was much appreciated by the young players, many of whom would often recall that respect with fondness and appreciation when they met up with Son in later years. He was among those honoured with a GAA presentation at the Home coming Festival last August. And a week after his death, who was due to receive a Special Merit award at the Claremorris GAA dinner dance, was posthumously honoured for his services to the club over many years. He excelled at funds raising activities and organised dances in the Town Hall and was also to the fore in running the Friday night "hops". On one occasion, he organised three buses to ferry supporters to a match. He also served as an active committee member of Claremorris Athletic Club for several years, and was always generous in his willingness to lend a helping hand above and beyond the call of duty. For many years, Son was a familiar figure at the Thursday night bingo on the Town Hall. He helped out with the chairs and putting everything in place for the weekly get-together. He got to know many of the regulars from all over the region and enjoyed playing the game of bingo himself. In more recent times, he would travel to the bingo session in Roundfort, Balla, Hollymount and Kilconly. He made many great friends through the bingo and was truly a popular favourite wherever he went. Another area of community involvement which he served with distinction was the local Credit Union of which he was a founder member. Son did counter duty for many years and was ever kind, helpful and courteous in his dealings with people. Politics and current affairs were close to his heart. He was a life-long supporter of the Fianna Fail party and was a regular at Cumann meetings for long and many years. He enjoyed the buzz of the election trail and could always be relied on to lend a helping hand when elections came around. Eamonn De Valera was his favourite politician over the decades. A man of deep and abiding faith, he helped out with various activities at St. Colman's Church. He also served as a steward at Knock Shrine for several years and he had a special fondness and attachment to Knock. Himself and Maureen were a devoted couple and they loved to travel and see parts of the world. They made a number of trips to America and parts of Europe and such occasions were cherished by both of them. There was always a hearty welcome from Son and Maureen for all who called to visit over the years. One of their special close friends was Vincent Yourell, a first cousin who resides in Hartfort, Connecticut and who went to school for a few years in Claremorris National School and stayed with their grandfather (Fred Picking) in Mount Street at the time.Vincent always regarded Son as his "big brother" and travelled from America to Claremorris on a regular basis to enjoy a "homecoming" and share old memories. Blessed with a wonderful memory, Son was a true historian and had a special "feel" for Claremorris town and its people. He possessed an almost unrivalled knowledge of the history of Claremorris railway station and those who worked there over the decades. With the passing of William "Son" Conlon, Claremorris had bade farewell to a noble son of the town. Many old friends and colleagues were present for the removal which took place from Our Lady's Funeral Home to Claremorris Church. After Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Peter Gannon and Fr. John O'Gorman, burial took place in St. Colman's Cemetery. He is deeply regretted by his wife Maureen, sister Ann (Athenry) and brothers Padraig and Vincent (Westport), relatives, neighbours and many friends M.C. Courtesy of the Western People 5th April 2005 Tweet

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