Seán was devoted to his family and loved a laugh
THERE was an outpouring of grief in Bray at the passing of Seán Kelly of Wolfe Tone East.
He was above all a loveable man, who put his whole family, including his siblings, nieces and nephews as well as his children and grandchildren.
He passed away on May 30 at the age of 92. On the day of his funeral, June 2, all of his neighbours came out of their homes, as they couldn’t attend the ceremony, and escorted the family as far as the grotto, where they left them with a big round of applause in Seán’s honour. Seán is survived by his daughters Ellen, Brenda and Adrianne, brothers Seámus and Vincent, grandsons Leon and Scott and his great-granddaughter Robyn, as well as all of his other relatives and many friends.
He started life on the Dargle Road, and the family went to Gertrude Terrace, Greenpark Road and Duncairn Avenue.
When they got married, he and his wife Rose settled at Wolfe Tone. Rose, née Egan, was a native of Greenpark Road and she died 13 years ago.
Fr Ben Mulligan, formerly of St Peter’s Parish, is a cousin of Seán’s and was also unable to attend the funeral, but plans to come and say a Mass in the house when possible.
Fr Ben celebrated Mass in the house in February when Seán turned 92, and previously for his 90th.
He was a great lover of sport and as a young man played football for Shamrock Bhoys in People’ Park, before moving to Gaelic football and playing for Bray Emmets.
He was a carpenter by trade and always busy with his hands, always doing something. His daughters have an abiding memory of their father coming home in the evening with his toolbox.
As a dad he was very easy-going. He loved a bit of craic. He was always in good form and loved to listen to people’s stories. He made sure his three daughters learned how to drive, and sat them each into the car as soon as they reached a certain age.
He and Rose were very united and did everything together. They were married for 55 years and a little bit of his spark left him the day she died. He used to be the doorman at night time at the Lido chip shop on Quinsboro Road to earn some extra money. A lot of people would have known him from then, he had a few words and a bit of chat for everyone. All his brothers went to England except for Seán, who was lucky to get an apprenticeship coach-building on the railway. He would always go to meet them off the boat when they were coming home, and he would always look out for all of the members of his family. He always ensured the family had a holiday, going to visit his brothers in Bristol or Wales each year. He watched football on TV, and while he didn’t follow one team in particular, he just enjoyed good football, and it was the same with GAA. He did have a special fondness for Bray Wanderers, his own father having supported the team also. Seán was instrumental in refurbishing the grotto at Wolfe Tone. In the late 80s it was getting run-down and needed work. He got up a committee and along with the neighbours got it all organised.
They raised some money, including plenty of Seán’s own money, and got it up and running. He contacted the painter, the electrician, and oversaw the work to bring the landmark to its former glory. He also looked after the maintenance of it until he could no longer do so. His neighbour Eileen Temple would help and has taken over those duties.
He understood how important the grotto was to the people of Wolfe Tone, including those who have left and come back to visit.
He was very close to his grandsons, he idolised them and they him and they were great friends. He was thrilled with his great-granddaughter Robyn, who was born last year.
Seán will be very sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.