The late Billy O'Brien The community was saddened when news filtered through on Monday 14th May 2007 of the sudden passing of Billy O'Brien, Yewstown and formerly of Patrickswell, Carrigatoher. Billy was born and reared to farming family and loved his native soil. He was the local postman attached to Carrigatoher PO which suited his outgoing personality and fun loving ways. He was also a great giver to society, having donated 85 pints of blood as a donor which merited a gold pin. Billy was a father figure to his nephews and nieces having taught them all to drive a car. Billy was a noted hurler with the local club Burgess with whom he won four North Intermediate championships medal in 1951, 1953, 1956 and 1959. He played at midfield, on the forward line, relying upon skill and speed of the DJ Carey mould. His former team-mates described him as a true sportsman who distributed the ball quickly and played a team game. Billy stuck to his principals and called a spade a spade. His late sister Bridget O'Brien was an active member of the Apostolic Work Society which merited a Bene Merenti medal and was also involved in the Patrickswell Water Scheme. The late Billy and Bridget house was demolished as part of the new N7 motorway with Billy going to live at Yewstown, Nenagh. Billy attended the First Holy Communion ceremony of grand-niece Aisling O'Brien on the day, previous to his call to Heaven and enjoyed a pint at "The Drapp Inn" and it was here that eh final whistle was blown. Billy will be sadly missed by all who knew him. The Burgess GAA club provided a guard of honour at the funeral, with the large crowd attending his funeral, testimony of the esteem in which her and his family is held in our parish and further a field. Sympathy is tender to his brothers Hughie (Knockrenihan), Jimmy (Co. Kerry) and sister Lizzie (Portroe, nephew, nieces, grand-nephews, grandnieces, relatives and large circle of friends. Courtesy of Tipperary Star 26 May 2007 Tweet

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