Larrywasatruegent andaninspirationtoall
LARRY Parsons passed away peacefully in the exceptional care of St James’s Hospital on December 21, after a relatively short illness.
Born in Dublin in 1943 to parents Jack and Mary Parsons, the family moved to Whaley Abbey, Ballinaclash, during the big snow of 1947 and farmed there until 1985. Larry attended school in Ballinaclash and Rathdrum and went on to study in the Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick.
On retiring from dairy farming, he took up a position as an agricultural rep with Cork firm Preference Products, followed by a similar position with Co- Operative Animal Health in Tullow.
In January 2001, he began working as an Assistant Caretaker in Avondale Community College – a job he loved and was totally dedicated to up and until his illness.
In 1961, Larry was one of the founder members of Rathdrum Rifle and Pistol Club along with Fr Peter Canning, David Cullen, John McGrath and others. A loft in Whaley Abbey was put at the club’s disposal and used as an indoor range until the club’s present premises in The Brewery was built and ready for occupation in February 1966. The club continued to use Whaley Abbey as an outdoor range until 1985.
Larry’s love of shooting didn’t end there as he was a member of the FCA and was a serving member of C Company 21st Battalion that, on two occasions, won the All-Army Rifle Shooting Competition – an achievement that he was extremely proud of.
Larry’s other love was rugby. As a young man he played his rugby with Wicklow Rugby Club as there was no club in Rathdrum at that time. On his retirement from playing, he joined the Rathdrum club and was a key member of the team that built the club to what it is today. He served proudly as President from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2002.
Never a man to seek the limelight, he did, however, enjoy doing the Rathdrum rugby match report every Sunday night on East Coast Radio with Michael Sargent. In 2009, in recognition of his life-long commitment and dedication to the club, the committee bestowed on him an honorary Life Membership.
Larry was described by many at his funeral as a ‘ true gentleman and an inspiration’ but, above all else, Larry was an outstanding and dedicated family man. Family was everything to Larry and Larry was everything to his family.
As a husband, dad and granddad, Larry was solid, decent and strong; a thoughtful man you could depend on. His dry, comic timing was priceless and all those close to him saw his heart of gold. His passing is felt so deeply, but his spirit lives on through lessons he taught and memories still shared.
Larry was laid to rest in Rathdrum Cemetery alongside his parents. He is survived by his loving wife Irene, children Adrienne, Brian, Miriam, Clare, Elaine, Conor and Pauline, his eleven grandchildren and his sister Pauline.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
THE introduction of the New Year saw the family of the late Kenneth Lang, Crinnion Park, Wicklow town, reflect back on a life which was dedicated to all those he loved.
Kenneth was born and bred in Sheffield but he and his wife Bernice moved to Ireland and County Wicklow in April of 1982, initially settling down in Seacrest, Wicklow town, having married in the UK in August of 1981.
In Sheffield, Kenneth had worked as an electrician but found employment in County Wicklow working on a farm and helping out in whatever way he could. Kenneth was considered a very-hard worker by colleagues and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed assistance.
He was a huge fan of Sheffield Wednesday FC and he retained his devotion to the club even after moving to Ireland. Most Saturday afternoons, Kenneth could be found sitting in his living room watching Sheffield Wednesday matches on his laptop. Whenever returning home to visit, Kenneth would always try and catch a Wednesday game live as well.
He was also an avid fisherman and soon fell in love with the Wicklow coastline. At one stage, he owned a boat which he would use regularly for fishing trips. He taught Bernice how to fish and the pair particularity used to love heading to O’Brien’s Bridge, between Counties Clare and Tipperary, for a weekend of river-fishing.
Kenneth suffered from septicaemia and required the use of an oxygen tank, however, he never complained and simply got on with his life.
He was dedicated to his children, and in later years, to his much-loved grandchildren Courtney and Ryan.
Kenneth passed away at the home in Crinnion Park he shared with Bernice. His last words to his wife were ‘I love you.’
Talking about Kenneth, Bernice said: ‘I miss him so, so much and wish he was back. His heart was always so young and he was such a kind-hearted and good man.’
Kenneth’s funeral mass took place at St Patrick’s Church, Wicklow town, followed by a cremation service in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.
He is sadly missed by his loving wife Bernice, daughter Joanne, sons John and Dermot, grandchildren Courtney and Ryan, brothers Charlie and Gordan, sister Joan, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.