Donnelly, Pat
January 21, 2009
The late Pat Donnelly
Pat Donnelly's warm smile and friendly salute will be sorely missed in Wexford.
A well-known and popular figure in the town, Pat (88) of Spawell Road, sadly passed away at Wexford General Hospital on January 8 2009.
Pat was born and reared in Rathnure and he was very proud of his native parish, particularly their exploits on the hurling field.
His father died at a young age and so Pat went to work early on in life and held a number of positions locally. However, he became a farrier by trade, having served his time with his uncles in Bunclody.
Pat moved from Bunclody to Moran's forge in Kilmore Quay where he enjoyed working until ill health forced him to take a less physically demanding job.
This was no problem to a talented man like Pat and he took up bar work, becoming the manager ofo Nelly Esmond's at Waddingtown, Cleariestown, now the Coach Inn.
That was where Pat and his beloved wife Bunty's only son Matt was born. Pat married Wexford woman Bunty (nee Parle) in April 1959 and the couply were devoted to each other.
In the 1960s the family moved into Wexford town to Bunty's family home on Spawell Road, opposite County Hall, which was to remain their happy home for many years to come.
In Wexford, Pat worked with William Walker & Son for many years, while his son Matt also worked alongside him there for some time. However, Pat didn't retire after that business closed and instead went to work with O'Connor solicitors, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Like all his work later in life it suited his outgoing and amiable nature.
He had a number of different jobs over the years and loved to work and be busy. He was meticulous in his approach to things and this approach extended to his appearance, as Pat was always very smartly turned out. And people in Wexford saw a lot of Pat as he loved to head out and about for walks.
He was a popular gentleman and always ready and willing to help friends and neighbours in need.
Pat was a man of strong Christian faith and never missed 5.45pm Mass at Rowe Street Church.
He was also the man who carried the tricolour for Wexford's HFC Band during the St. Patrick's Day Parade and processions.
He loved spending time with his family, particularly his son Matt, daughter-in-law Patricia and grandchildren Antoinette and Padraig.
Pat was very proud of his grandchildren and loved to go to see Aotoinette perform on stage or Padraig play hurling.
His only gripde with Padraig - who played minor hurling with Wexford last year - was that, as a proud Rathnure man, he had to let the Glynn-Barntown youngster know which club was best ... though they never reached an agreement!
Pat always maintained a strong interest in the fortunes of Rathnure and Wexford, from the days when he used to cycle to Croke Park, Thurles and other venues around the country, to last year's All-Ireland championships.
In recent years he enjoyed nothing more than to sit down with a cup of tea, watch a match on the television or have a chat about the old days.
Pat is predeceased by his wife Bunty, who passed away in 2004, his brother Joe and his sisters Lizzie and Nellie.
His Requiem Mass was celebrated in Rowe Street Church by his friend Fr. Michael O'Shea, on Saturday, January 10. He was laid to rest in Crosstown Cemetery.
Pat is survived by his sister Mary, his loving son Matt, his daughter-in-law Patricia, grandchildren Antoinette and Padraig, sister-in-law Josie, his relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
- Courtesy of the Wexford People, January 21st 2009
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