Connolly, Tom
August 01, 2006
The late Tom Connolly
August 1, 2006 saw the passing of a highly respected and admired member of the community of Cashel when Tom Connolly passed to his eternal reward. Though very much associated with Cashel for more than the last thirty years, Tom began his life in the parish of Boherlahan-Dualla. Ardmayle, a fact that he was forever proud of. In 1968 he married his wife Ann in Anacarty and together they enjoyed thirty-eight years of married happiness. Together they moved to Cashel in 1971, firstly to Friar Street, then to Oliver Plunkett Park and finally, in 1988, to their home on the Camas Road.
A number of places were lucky to have Tom working for them when he moved to Cashel, including the Presentation Convent and the Palace Hotel, but from 1984 till his passing he was happily employed by St Patricks Hospital where his gifted green fingers were put to great use on the gardens. It is a remarkable fact that in all his time working in St Patrick's he never once took a sick day but as anyone who ever met him would testify to, it would take a lot more than a cold or flu to put Tom out of action.
Tom's famous green fingers extended beyond his work as he was often found tending to and looking after the gardens in the locality belonging to friends, family and anyone who could use the hand of an expert.
To call Tom a sports fan would not be doing him credit. Tom loved his sport and in particular the GAA. He was a player for Boherlahan himself in his younger days and was immensely proud of his sons TJ and Jason and their own sporting careers with Cashel Kings Cormacs and other teams in other sports.
Some of his fondest memories were of the great Cashel success in 1991 and, of course, his native Boherlahan's county success in 1994.
He was an active member of the Cashel King Cormacs club for a number of years serving as a member of the original sports field committee and gate collector. Tom was always talking about sport and, with is father John, he frequented Andy Fogarty's pub and in later years Cantwell's and Brosnan's for the latest chat about his beloved Manchester United or the banter that would brew due to his divided loyalties between Cashel and Boherlahan. To this day no one is quite sure who he cheered for when the two teams clashed.
Tom enjoyed some of the simpler things in life too. He loved going for a Sunday drive, and heading off with Ann to visit his sister, Lilly, for the weekend in Carlow was something he always looked forward too. Probably his greatest joy came from being with his grandchildren , Roin, Laura and Ronan, whom he loved with all his heart and who in turn miss their grandad deeply.
His funeral was one of the largest to be seen and a testament to the esteem in which Tom was held by people near to home and further away. Guards of honour were present at the removal, the funeral and the burial in Ardmayle.
The family wish to thank all the friends and neighbours for their prayers and help. Special thanks are due to the staff of St James' Hospital Dublin and Our Lady's Hospital Cashel for the excellent care they gave Tom during his illness. The persists of the parish, especially Fr Christy O'Dwyer, who attended to Tom at home are also thanked openly.
Tom Connolly will be deeply and truly missed by all who met and knew him, but especially by his wife, Ann, his daughter Elizabeth, sons TJ and Jason, grandchildren Eoin, Laura and Ronan, his son in law, Aidan, daughter in law Thersa and all his extended family. May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of Tipperary Star
21 November 2006
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