O'Connell, James
January 27, 2011The very popular Pip O'Connell passed away on the 17th of January last at 78 years of age, and the death of this much respected and admired gentleman was the cause of great sadness for his family and his legion of friends, not just in Thurles but in many areas of the county. Pip had fought a brave battle against serious illness in recent months, during which his unfailing good humour and friendly demeanour never deserted him.
The youngest son of the late John and Mary O'Connell, Pip lived all his life in Thurles, making a magnificent contribution to his community through a 50 year career with An Post. During that working life, he was known for his total dedication to maintaining the highest of standards, for his courtesy to his fellow workers and to the general public with whom he had constant contact for much of that career.
Pip had a broad-ranging taste in sport but there was never a doubt about his allegiance to the G.A.A in general and hurling in particular. He was one of Thurles Sarsfield's most dedicated supporters, serving as an officer of the club for a number of years, and loved nothing better than recounting the deeds of the many Thurles and Tipperary hurlers he admired down through the decades. But his sporting taste and knowledge ran along very a Kerryman, such was his admiration for their style of football. He also took great interest in the fortunes of Arsenal and Glasgow Celtic football clubs and could talk at length and with great knowledge about their achievements. Indeed, it was Pip's encyclopaedic store of sporting information that continually amazed his friends. If you ever had a question during sporting discussions, then Pip was your man. As one friend put in recently, "If in doubt, go to Pip.com!" But the information was given only when requested, as it was never Pip's style to intrude on your company unless asked.
Pip was a great believer in community effort and contributed with generosity of spirit and pocket to a host of voluntary bodies over the years. He joined Thurles Musical Soceity in the early 50's, at which time Gilbert & Sullivan operettas were highly popular and his love of that particular style of music remained with him. He used his soft tenor voice to entertain his friends with some of the old songs on many memorable occasions. Likewise, he was a staunch member of the Cathedral Choir for many years and retired only when he felt he could no longer do justice to the high standards of that choir.
Pip was a quiet, unassuming person with a gentleness of manner from another age. He valued his friends and his family and was imbued with an innate sense of morality and fair play. He had an impish sense of humour which he used to great effect whenever the conversation took a serious turn.
He is a loss to our town and our community, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his sisters Alice, Maureen (Buckley) and Peggy (Wilkinson), his brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces and his extended family.
Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 27/1/11 Tweet
