The late Pat Stafford A man of the people, deeply committed to his community and family, Pat Stafford passed away peacefully at his home in Tagoat, surrounded by his beloved wife Bet and his family. Deeply missed by all who knew him, he will be remembered as a man for whom no challenge was too great. Born in Wexford on 31st July 1933, to Jack and Mary Stafford, Pat reared at 4 Menapia Avenue with is seven sisters, May, Bridget, Sheelagh, Lally, Margaret, Olive and Frances, and brothers Jimmy and Sean. Pat saw his father Jack as a giant and a hero, who tragically passed away when Pat was a young boy. His mother Mary generated a love for family in Pat and her generosity and giving nature was instilled in him from an early age and continued throughout his life. Pat had as many names as his talents and professions - Paudie, Podgie, Pat Mac, Mr Stafford, the Boss, Da, Daddy and Granda Pat. He went to school at the Presentation Convent and the CBS in Wexford, where he completed his Leaving Certificate, and began working his working life at the soil laboratory at Johnstown Castle, and studied for the Meteorological Services exams under Fr PJ O'Keeffe at St Peter's College, Wexford. He joined the Met Service in 1955, and worked in Shannon and Dublin before being posted in Rosslare Harbour, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. Pat met his wife Elizabeth (Bet) Cullimore, of Pearse Street in Wexford, and they married in 1959, rearing nine children. Their life together began in Trimmer, Killinick, before they moved to Kilscoran Rectory, where they lived until 1999, when they built a new home at Glebe Gardens. Pat's boundless energy and spirit saw him branch out into many other careers and enterprises. With brothers Jimmy and Sean, he began farming at Trimmer and Tagoat. But Pat's commitment to the community in which he lived led to him becoming more and more involved with the voluntary sector, and it is perhaps for his work in this area that he will be best remembered. James Deeney, ploughed communal furrows even before much of today's support systems were in place. Dr Deeney, former Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, became a father figure, advisor and close friend to Pat. Since Pat's 'retirement', he effectively functioned in an executive capacity on communal business, working in a voluntary capacity on a wide range of projects. He was entirely selfless. Speaking at his funeral, Senator Labhras O'Mhurchu commented how Pat was probably the only man he knew who never went looking for something for himself, but always sought the betterment of other people. Among community projects he was deeply involved with were the Tagoat school children's soup programme, the Tagoat Children Mummers, Tagoat Tops of the Town, Tagoat Steam Rally, and Tagoat Community Council, of which he was chairman, and was instrumental in developing a new community centre that provided much needed services. He was later involved in developing a Day Care Centre in the village for the elderly, and the Ward House, a community housing project for the elderly and was one of the founders of the Tagoat Housing Association. Pat has a deep interest in local history, out of which grew the Yola Farmstead in Tagoat, which became the home of the Wexford Genealogy Centre, one of Pat's main passion. He was Secretary of the Irish Family History Foundation. He served on the WORD board for many years, and was a founding member of Irish Rural Link. He was also a great sportsman and as a young man played hurling with the Davits Club in Wexford. He played football with the Volunteers and also played centre back with Johnstown Castle, in the Factory League and won the Leinster Championship 1955. While he was committed to the community, Pat was also devoted to his family. He was passionately interest in current affairs, and loved nothing better than a debate at the kitchen table on the issues of the day with his children. Pat taught his children to think for themselves, and urged them to stand up for what they believed in. Pat had 17 grandchildren including his grandson Finn, by whom he is pre-deceased. Pat became ill some time ago, but eh key to his last months and years are clear to his family, especially his wife Bet; He didn't fight illness - he lived with it. Pat had the courage to accept what he could not change, and got on with his life. The esteem in which he was held was reflected by the massive attendance at his funeral at St Mary's Church, Tagoat and the huge numbers who had come to pay tribute during the wake at his home. Pat will be missed by all who knew him, especially his devoted wife Bet, children Liz, Carrie, Patsy, Jack, Derek, Mary Rose, Podge, Hayngh, Kate, all his grandchildren, his sisters Bridget, Margaret, Olive, Francis, brother Sean and his entire extended family. Courtesy of The Wexford People 09/08/2006 Tweet

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