Wexford lost one of its favourite sons with the sad passing of Liam Lahiff. Liam (71) of Hill Street, passed away at his home, following a serious illness, which he bore with great fortitude and dignity. His death has robbed Wexford town of one of its most knowledgeable and respected citizens, but more importantly it has left his beloved family without a dear husband, father and grandfather. The large crowds at his removal and funeral Mass bore testament to the high esteem in which he was held. Liam was born and reared in 33 Hill Street, the son of James and Statia Lahiff. He was the youngest of five and had four older sisters, two of whom he is survived by - Marie O'Rourke and Kathleen Evans, who both live in England. Liam attended the former George's Street School before his class became the first to attend the new Mercy School on John's Road, where he and his classmates names were immortalised on a plaque. He went on to attend the Christian Brothers School, but as his father died when he was just eight, Liam began work at a young age, starting off at Boggan's Garage. Liam cared for his mother Statia following his Father's untimely death as his sisters had emigrated to England and he was devoted to her (and she to him) until she passed away. The Wexford man worked in several places over the years, including Fine Wool Fabrics and Hadden's Woolen Mills. He was best known for his long stints at Godkin's and particularly George Stafford's in Drinagh, where he was foreman. It could be argued that his time at Fine Wool Fabrics was by far the most important as it was there, in 1954, that he met the love of his life- Anna Byrne from Carrigeen. The devoted couple were married in 1958 and celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last January. They had five children together; Jim , Charlotte, Michael and Cathy, while Liam Jnr. sadly passed away while just a baby. Liam's immediate family did not end there though as he also regarded Elaine OBrien, from Walnut Grove, like one of his own daughters. A man of many interests, Liam had a great love of sports, but top of the list of priorities was always football. He lined out with The Volunteers, Sarsfields and St Mary's of Maudlintown during his time playing football, while he also represented Wexford as a minor. His honours with the Sarsfields included a juvenile title in '53, a junior title in '59 and a senior title in '61. When he stoped playing, Liam took up the whistle and refereed locally. The Volunteers provided a Guard of Honour for Liam, as did North End United, the soccer club Liam founded so the boys from Hill Street and Croke Avenue wouldn't just have to contest themselves with games on the streets. The club, now kitted out in blue, originally wore red and white, a sign of Liam's fondness for Arsenal F.C. whom he travelled over to see many times with his first family. It was a very young member of his North End team, Sean Dempsey, that many years later invited Liam to write for the Free Press in Wexford, which he enjoyed for 12 years. His pages were widely read and his pieces illustrated his vast knowledge of Wexford town and, more importantly, its people. Indeed his family recall that a trip downtown with Liam was never quick affair as he'd invariably be hours due to the number of people he'd stop and talk to. Liam was legendary for his vast knowledge and for his ability to put names, dates and stories to old photographs. Never would he let a photo go to print without every name accounted for: Liam, to his immense credit, was never beaten and besides his research for the free press he also helped countless individuals who regularly called to his house looking for help; be it tracking down a photo, putting names to a photo, or seeking dates or information. His generosity with his time was appreciated by all who wisely sought him out for such tasks. His keen intellect and sense of humour were also always very evident in his enjoyable conversational style of writing, the latter coming to the fore particularly when he was having a tongue-in-check pop at someone-usually his good friends down in Maudlintown! Forthright with his views, Liam was a straight and honest man. He was also a man of very strong faith who attended Mass daily. He had a great devotion to Our Lady of Knock and travelled to the shrine in Co.Mayo with Anna several times every year, their last visit coming in May. Though he was a man of many facets-devout Catholic, historian. sportsman, writer and great friend to many- he was, above all else, a true family man. The great joy he took from football, for example, could still never compare to just a simple walk downtown with his grandchildren in tow. The smiling faces of Matthew, Ethan, Tony, Ben Liam, Jack and Stacey beam down from the many photos on the walls of his home on Hill Street, where they were proudly hung by their grandfather. Though Liam was diagnosed with a serious illness last September, it was only in recent weeks that it began to get the better of him. He received excellent care from Dr.Pierre Richard an Janet Tobin of Wexford Hospice Homecare before he passed away surrounded by his loving family. His Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Aodhan Marken, Fr. Jim Fegan and Fr. Michael O'Shea. Cllr. George Lawlor sang Cuchulainn's Son at the Mass, which was also attended by the other members of Wexford's Borough Council, led by Mayor Ted Howlin. Liam was laid to rest in St.Ibar's Cemetery, Crosstown. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Anna, children Jim, Charlotte, Michael and Cathy, sons-in-law Anthony and Martin, daughter-in-law Gina, sisters Marie and Kathleen, his grandchildren, extended family and wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Wexford People Tweet

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