The Late Noel McCormack The tragic death of hugely popular father-of-three in a farm accident has shrouded the greater Ballysmitty area in grief. There were scenes of inconsolable sadness at St Peter's Parish Church in Ballymitty, as hundreds gathered to bid a final and premature farewell to Noel McCormack, who was tragically killed while attending to machinery near his Arnestown home. Hailing from an extended family of ten sisters and one brother, the 46 year old is survived by his heartbroken wife, Ann (nee Furlong), and their three children - Ciara, aged 12, and nine year old twins, Padraig and Niamh. Regarded with great affection in the community, Noel was a devoted family man whose life revolved around his wife and children, mother and siblings. He was also a fantastic neighbour and friend, who was ever willing to help others - a characteristic which endeared him to many. A farmer by occupation, he ran a successful dairy, dry-stock and tillage farm and was known for the meticulous way in which he carried out his work. Very active in the local community, Noel was involved with the church, school and Parish Council while helping out with the local field day. In recent years, he helped to roof the local Ball Alley while he was also a great supporter of the Bannow-Rathangan Show. Each year he would be among the first to volunteer to help in the organisation of the event and was always a ready and willing worker, as Show Chairman Paddy Murphy recalls. Noel was a fantastic man, who never needed to be asked to help out. He would be the first in the field and would always come prepared. He also helped out on the gates each year, following in the footsteps of his late father.' Comrades from Bannow-Rathangan Show formed a guard of honour on the day of the funeral while Bannow-Ballymitty GAA club and Ballymitty N.S. were also represented. An avid GAA man, Noel won a Rackard League medal with Bannow-Ballymitty in 1969 while his children now play with the club. Ciara plays Under 14 camogie while Padraig and Niamh line out with the club's under 10 football team. Aside from supporting the local club, the entire family are ardent followers of the Wexford hurlers and attended all of this year's League and Championship games. Sadly Noel had been scheduled to journey to Dublin to watch Kilkenny take on Cork in Croke Park. He attended the All-Ireland hurling and football finals every year and was due to undertake the journey with his near neighbour and Chairman of the New Ross and District GAA Committee, John Bennett, Pat Cullen and Mick Harput were also due to travel. The esteem in which Noel and his family are held was reflected by the huge numbers who attended the removal and burial, with mourners spilling from the church and cemetery grounds onto the nearby roadway. Noel is survived by his wife, Ann three children, mother Maureen (aged 81) sisters and brother, sisters and brothers-in-law, mother-in-law Kitty Furlong, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. Courtesy of the Wexford People 21st September 2003 Tweet

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