The death took place on Sunday May 19th of Mr Eugene Pettit, Ard Brae Park, Baylough, Athlone and formerly of St. Coman's Park, Athlone, County Roscommon. Aged 89, deceased was a native of Comgeen.Ballinameen, Boyle and he had worked as an estimator with the Department of Defence at Custume Barracks, Athlone, for 37 years until retirement in 1990. Of a friendly and caring disposition, deceased was synonymous with the GAA scene in his native county and served as chairperson and secretary of the Roscommon County Minor Board for varying periods.

He was secretary of the County Minor Board in 1978 and 1979 and its chairperson from 1980 to 1982. He also served as a selector for under-age teams at County level and was a member of the Roscommon GAA County Centenary Committee in 1984. He also served as secretary of the local Claim nanGael GAA , Club from 1975 to 1978 and he gave of himself unstintingly to the respective officerships and roles at both club and county level. A lover of
all sport, he was also a racing enthusiast and in recent years he was as hare holder in the racehorse Essex and followed his racing fortunes in Ireland and Britain with enthusiasm.

Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he enjoyed friendships with a wide age range and was deservedly popular with his work colleagues over the decades and all those with whom he became acquainted. He also performed many neighbourly deeds and land acts in his residential community with typical self effacement. Predeceased almost six years by his wife, Teresa (nee Brennan, Ballinameen, Boyle), he is survived by sons, Gerard,Clonark; Kenneth; Ballykeeran, Athlone and David, St Coman's Park and
one daughter, Mrs Bemadette Mulvey, Roscommon Road, Kiltoom, Athlone.

A member of a family of four boys and seven girls, he is also survived by brothers, Jimmy, Clarenbridge, County Galway; Paddy, New York; sisters, Mrs Patsy Kavanagh, New York; Mrs Delia Naughton, Kingsland, Boyle; Mrs Marcella Keaveney, Circular Road, Roscommon; 14 grandchildren, one great grandchild and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at St. Peter and St Paul's Church, Athlone, on Thursday the funeral took place to Drum Cemetery. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Canon Eugene McLoughlin, PP, Roscommon, a family relative. The other celebrants were Very Rev. Canon Liam Devine, St Peter and St Paul's, Athlone; Rev. John McManus, CC, St. Peter's; Very Rev. Ray Milton, PP, Knockcroghery,St John's and Rahara, a former CC in Drum; Very Rev. John Cullen,PP, Kiltoom and Cam; Very Rev. Frank McGauran, retired PP.Ballinameen and Rev. Sean O' Dowd, CC, SL Peter's, Athlone. Tweet

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