The Late Jack Cleary There was a widespread regret in Castlerea on Saturday, March 8th at the news of the death of Mr Jack (Jackie) Cleary, Knockroe, Castlerea, which took place at Renmore Hospital, Galway. Jackie was a quite, gentle and popular person and was liked by everyone both young and old. After leaving school Jackie helped out with the running of the family business, run by his late father and mother James and Kathleen Cleary. The business comprised of large grocery shop and egg store. Eggs were big business in those years, the eggs would be collected by going around to the different villages with the travelling shop. They were then graded and packed into cases and exported. Jackie's sister, Mary Agnes and brother Seamus also helped out with the running of the business. When the egg business died down in the early 70's Jackie continued to run the grocery and petrol business up until he retired a few years ago. Jackie was a great sports man, his first love was the GAA and he gave great service to the Tarmon and Castlerea clubs and Roscommon County football teams. He was known as the gentle giant of Gaelic football, taking many hard knocks, but never retaliating. He started playing Gaelic football at an early age, playing with Knockroe in street leagues in FIynn's field (up at the tower) the back of the swimming pool and the back of Dr. Delaneys now Ivy House. He was on the Tarmon minor teams beaten by Loughglynn, in the west finals of 1952/53. A member of Castlerea minor team beaten by Frenchpark in 1954 west final, he was on the Castlerea junior team that won the west board junior championship in 1954. He won a parish league medal with Castlerea in 1953. He won a county junior championship medal with Castlerea in 1957 and was on the senior team beaten in the county final of 1958 by St. Bridgets. He won O'Rourke cup medals in 1959,1966/67,1967/68, he won a county senior football championship medal in1967 against Clann na Gael when he gave an outstanding performance at full back and he also represented County Roscommon at senior and junior level, winning a Connaught Junior Ghampionship in 1959. He also won an insurance cup medal with west Roscommon in 1957. He was ~a great Castlerea club and Roscommon county team supporter and rarely missed these games. Another great Casflerea club man has left us and he will be sadly missed by all who played with and against him and knew him. His funeral took place from his residence, Knockroe to St. Patrick's Church Castlerea and after Mass on Monday concelebrated by Rev. Canon Joe Fitzgerald, assisted by Rev Fr. Michael McManus, Rev Peter Moloney and Rev Joe Glynn, San Francisco (formerly of Castlerea), burial took place in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Castlerea. His coffin was draped with the Castlerea and Roscommon flags and a guard of honour was provided on both days by his playing comrades, present Castlerea club players and officials, community members and members of the St. Mary's Ballinagare and St. Croans teams that played against him. Adian Kellagher (cpt) of the 1956 Roscommon junior team and Dickie Beirne called to the house on Sunday to pay their respects. His friend Danny Burke gave an oration at his graveside. He is survived by his sister, Mary Anges Toal, Omagh; brother Seamus, Castlerea, brother-in-law Jim, sister-in-law Mary, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins relatives, many friends and all his GAA colleagues. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald 18 March 2008 Tweet

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