The Late Kevin Croke Kevin Croke, Glynside and formerly of 82 Main Street, Portlaoise, died at his residence on Friday December 26th. He was 88. Of an affable disposition he packed a lot into his life; hurler, public representative, businessman, family man. For 90 years, the Crokes were one of Portlaoise's better known business families, Kevin's father, Denis, having opened a butcher shop at 82 Main Street in 1908. Behind the counter of the shop Kevin served for almost 65 years. When he retired the doors closed and so ceased yet another town centre family business. On his coffin was a Portlaoise GAA Club jersey. Aptly so for he was on the Town team that won the county senior hurling final in 1943. He was its last surviving member. He probably inherited his hurling talent from his Ballygeehan uncles, Jack (the captain) and Tom Finlay, who helped to bring the All-Ireland title to Laois in 1915. Kevin also played intercounty hurling. And he was the holder of a Leinster junior football medal, acquired against Louth in 1941. In the 1940s, he served three terms as a Fine Gael member on Portlaoise Town Commission and one on the County Council. Never was he defeated in an election. During the same period, Kevin was a lieutenant in the Local Defence Force (LDF), the forerunner of the FCA. In his military footsteps he followed his son, Kevin Jnr, a Commandant in the Defence Forces. Kevin and his wife Bessie (nee Purcell) were married for 55 years. They reared four girls and two boys. Remains were removed from Glynside to SS Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise. Following Mass the funeral took place SS Peter and Paul's Cemetery. Mourning Kevin are his wife Bessie; children Kevin, Joan, Clogagh, Kyra, Louise and John; brother Tom; sisters Lou, Irene and Phyl; grandchildren; greatgrandchild; sons-in-law and daughter-in-law; nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law; relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Leinster Express January 3rd 2004 Tweet

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