Brett, Mickey
January 18, 2012Aged 86, Mickey was predeceased some years ago by his wife Francie and their son Marcus.
A quiet, unassuming man with a great passion for his family, community and country, Mickey was a marvellous worker for the betterment of others.
His involvement in the local Tubbercurry GAA club for decades and his passion in national and local politics through the Fine Gael party all his life showed how much at grass roots level can have a great influence both locally and nationally.
Born in Rathscanlon on the edge of Tubbercurry, Mickey was involved in the Tubbercurry GAA club from an early age and played for years through the 1940s and 50s on some of the great Tubbercurry teams of that era, winning several county championships.
As his playing career finished in the late 50s the club embarked on purchasing land on the Sligo road which is now home to Kilcoyne Park and the GAA club today.
Mickey literally gave thousands of hours of voluntary service to the club in getting the grounds developed and opened in 1964.
As a mark of appreciation of his work, the name Brett was tiled to the floor of the dressing rooms when completed.
Mickey was a talented forward and midfielder in his early playing career, but he eventually made the full back position his own throughout most of the 1950s.
His coffin was dressed with the black and white flag of the Sligo and Tubbercurry colours and the number 3 jersey of Tubbercurry.
Politics in the 1950s, 60s and 70s was not for the faint hearted but Mickey and his wife Francie nailed their political colours firmly to the Fine Gael mast and they worked as a team when canvassing at local and national election time.
Mickey always listened to othe other side and quietly tried to make you see his side.
As a businessman running a good hardware store in Tubbercurry town centre, it was not always easy to separate politics from business but Mickey did it with great aplomb and had great customers from all political spheres, simply because they respected Mickey as a true gentleman.
Mickey's remains reposed at the Coen Funeral home prior to removal to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Tubbercurry and the guard of honour at his removal was made up of Tubbercurry and Sligo GAA members and local Fine Gael members.
The contribution of Mickey Brett to Tubbercurry and the general South Sligo area was enormous and the voluntary work he did should not be forgotten and could be a role model for younger people today.
Burial took place in Rhue Cemetery. He is survived by sons Michael, Jarleth, Arthur, Vivian and Cathal; daughter, Ramona; brother Sean, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and old team mates, all to whom the sympathy of the entire community is extended.
May he rest in peace.
- Courtesy of Sligo Champion, 18th January 2012 Tweet
