Walsh, John
November 13, 2009John passed away peacefully at Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny on Sunday, October 4, surrounded by his loving family, aged 69 years.
A native of Tinnislatty, The Rower, John was one of six children born to Margaret and Laurence Walsh, with brothers Jim, Paddy and Martin and sisters Sr Mary and the late Sr Enda (Peggy).
He was educated both in The Rower and later in New Ross after which he went to work with Con- ran's in Rathnure. He sub- sequently came back to New Ross and worked in Doyle's Grocery and Bar on Quay Street before taking up a position as manager in Joyce's in Graignamanagh.
John will always be remembered as a gentle, kind and friendly man. He always saw the best in people.
John will be best known in New Ross as the proprietor of Walsh's Shop on the quay, which he proudly opened in 1978. There he ran a very successful business until 1999 when he retired. He was a popular and well- liked businessman in town, where he treated all his customers as friends and loved catch- ing up and chatting about farming and hurling.
He married his loving wife Breda (nee Roche), a native of lnistioge, in 1968, and together they raised a family of six children with sons Lawrence, James, John, Martin and Padraig and one daughter, Brid. When they married, John and Breda bought their own farm in Kiltown, The Rower, which they worked on and ran
successfully. John was a
hardworking man and
would consider his day off working on the family farm. He had a great interest in breeding bulls and won many awards at various agricultural shows around the country.
Another great interest of his was horses. He always kept horses on the farm and bred them and kept a close eye on the racing schemes and different breeds. He could also be seen at various card games in Wexford.
An avid hurler from his youth, John had a great passion for GAA - in which he excelled. He played on the senior county final winning team with The Rower/ Inistioge in 1968. His skills as a half-back on the field also saw him pick up a Leinster Senior Medal with Kilkenny.
Throughout his life, he followed the successes of the Kilkenny hurling team and he was thrilled in September when they brought home the four-in- a-row title.
However, his family always came first and foremost in his life. He was a true family man who dedicated his life to his wife and six children. In later years he was blessed with the arrival of his grandchildren Caitlin, Eadaoin, Ciara, Eve- Marie, John Fintan, Rachel, Aine and Eamon and they adored their grandad.
John will always be remembered as a gentle, kind and friendly man. He always saw the best in people and was never one to utter a bad word about anyone.
He was always very close to his family and never more so than in his latter few days, when his wife and children along with his brothers and sister (who flew home from Kenya to be with him) were by his side in hospital every day.
His family are deeply indebted to Dr. Peter J Paul and the wonderful staff in Aut Even Hospital for the care and attention John received there and also to Dr Rory O'Donnell and Bon Secours Hospital in Glasnevin and Dr Val Lonergan who helped him through his illness. The high attendance at his removal and funeral Mass was a testament to the high esteem in which John was held.
Fr Seamus McEvoy, Monsignor Jim Cassin, Fr Liam Barren, Fr Liam Cassin, Fr Patrick Comer- ford, Fr John Lyng and Fr Tom Murphy celebrated his requiem Mass and fit- tingly, a guard of honour was provided by The Rower/Inistioge GAA Club. John will be deeply missed by his loving wife, children, daughters-in- law Helen, Carmel and Deirdre, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, rela- tives and friends.
His month's Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sat- urday, November 14 at 6.30pm in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in The Rower.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of Killkenny People Nov 13th 2009 Tweet
