The Late Willie Forde The death at Kerlogue Nursing Home of Wexfordman Willie Forde has caused deep sadness to his family and many friends. Willie celebrated his 90th birthday and was the eldest son of the late Michael and Ann Forde of Coolgreany, Redmond Road, Wexford. He was born in Enniscorhy in 1915 and after spending his early childhood in Wexford, he served his time as a carpenter in Stafford's Joinery in Paul Quay. In 1935, he moved to Dublin as a qualified carpenter and worked for a building firm in the capital. After a period of time, he set up his own building firm and was building houses right up to the time he semi-retired in the late 1970's. On the death of his wife, Barbara 'Babby' in the mid 1980's, he moved back to Wexford in the latter part of the decade and spent the remainder of his life in Ferrybank before going into the care of Kerlogue Nursing Home. In his youth, he was an outstanding athlete and also won a county minor hurling medal with Glynn in the 1930's. An avid follower of Gaelic Games, he attended his first All-Ireland Final, the famous three-match saga between Cork and Kilkenny in 1931 and having attended most finals in the intervening years, he went to his last in 2003, the historic meeting between Tyrone and Armagh. He particularly enjoyed the great campaign of 1996 in which Wexford made the breakthrough after 28 years. In later years, Willie took up bridge as a hobby and spent many happy hours over a game of cards in the Ferrybank Bridge Centre. He was a great supporter of the Al Anon movement and took great enjoyment from the friendship that he developed over the years with the people he met at various meetings throughout the country. A much travelled man, he visited his son Ger in Perth in Western Australia on a number of occasions, his son Maurice in Canada and he also used to meet up regularly with his eldest son Fergus in Dublin. As Willie's health deteriorated, he moved to Kerlogue Nursing Home in 2003. He greatly appreciated the kind attention from the staff and the many friendships he developed with staff and fellow residents alike. During his time in Wexford, Willie received great care and attention from Dr. Stephen Bowe. He is predeceased by his wife, 'Babby' and is survived by his sons, Fergus, (Dun Laoghaire), Ger (Australia) and Maurice (Canada); his brother; Gerry (Ferrybank); sister, Maureen Donogoe (Bray), 13 grandchildren, his great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of the Wexford People 22nd June 2005 Tweet

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