Thai crash victim Philip laid to rest
A 73-YEAR- OLD man who died in tragic circumstances in Thailand was laid to rest in his native village on Sunday.
Philip Foley of Tomanoole, Castledockrell died on November 11 at around 6.30 p.m. when the moped he was driving crashed on train tracks and he was struck by a train. He died instantly at the scene.
His death has led to shock and sadness in his native area.
Philip, who would have turned 74 on November 30, is survived by his daughters Kelly and Lisa; son Seán ; son-in-law Tom Lennon; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brothers Martin, Jimmy and Raymond and the late Monsignor Noel.
Philip’s mother Mary died when he was a young boy. He grew up in Ballycarney with relations, the Carton’s who adopted him.
Philip attended school in Tombrack, before going on to emigrate to England aged 15. He was one of the first men employed on the building on the M27 motorway south of London.
Over the years he worked as a sub contractor building houses and buildings in south England.
A man adept at all trades, he enjoyed golf in his spare time and this developed over the years.
He also enjoyed a pint of Guinness, especially at his favourite tavern, The Hollow bar.
Philip got married to his first wife when he was 19 and had two children, Lynn and Seán and lived in Southampton. He had two daughters Kelly and Lisa in his second marriage.
He moved back to Ireland and settled in Castledockrell where his family hailed from.
Philip worked on buildings mainly in Dublin with his brother Jimmy.
Around ten years ago when he decided to retire, he travelled to Thailand for a few months.
A love affair with the country ensued and he ended up buying a house in a mountainous area near the city of Hua Hin, having sold his house in County Wexford.
Philip was a larger than life character and had made many friends in the ex-pat community in the Hua Hin area.
He enjoyed travelling in South East Asia and would often set off without telling anyone on adventures.
A man of great wit blessed with a very dry sense of humour, he was also very opinionated and intelligent.
Philip was in the process of permanently moving to the Hua Hin area when the accident occurred.
His daughter Kelly said the entire community in Ballycarney was left shocked and saddened by the news of his passing.
As per his wishes his remains were cremated in Thailand and his ashes flown home to be buried alongside his mother in Castledockrell Cemetery, following his funeral Mass at in The Church of All Saints, Castledockrell, on on Sunday.
May Phil Rest In Peace.