Devoted family man Patrick Kehoe was a stalwart of the Tug of War team
THERE was widespread sadness in Campile recently following the death of Patrick Kehoe.
Patrick (71) of Kilmannock, Campile died peacefully on February 19 surrounded by his family.
One of nature’s gentlemen Patrick was born in 1946 in Boley, Ballycullane to parents Laurence and Bridget. He had a very happy childhood growing up with his nine brothers and two sisters, John, Laurence, the late Martin, William, Richard, James, Kevin, Brendan, Dermot, Eileen and Maureen.
He would often recall fond memories from adventurous days in Ballycullane school. He was very proud of his homeplace and it was here he learned the love of the land.
At the age of 16 he started out digging with his late brother Martin and together they went on to drain and reclaim land the length and breadth of Wexford and beyond, with many of his brothers joining them along the way. He took great joy in his work and often revisited land he had worked on during a leisurely Sunday drive.
His name and that of his family was well known in many a farming household.
Patrick had a real passion for farming and in particular tillage spending many a summer’s evening walking fields of malting barley until sunset.
In 1977 he married his wife Veronica and they settled together on their farm in Kilmannock working side by side and raising five loving children, Padraig, Albert, Edel, Ivan and Margaret-Ann. Family was always a number one priority for Patrick and he worked endlessly to ensure they had everything they ever needed.
Patrick was very well known in sporting circles being a founder and key player on the renowned Boley Tug of War team. He travelled the world taking in South Africa, America and the vast majority of European countries with his brothers and teammates bringing home stories, numerous awards and a large collection of photographs that took pride of place in his home.
During these years he won over 50 medals including 25 gold for his club and country with the team representing Ireland at European Championship level and in a total of four World Games. He was on the first Irish team to become World Club Champions in Switzerland in 1980 and in 1982 he won two gold and two silver medals in the World Championships in South Africa.
The highlight of his career was winning two gold medals in the London World Games in 1985 and to this day they remain the only Irish team to have achieved this.
In 1987 he was awarded a Power’s Gold Label Wexford Sports Star Award. He retired from the sport in 1993 but kept a keen interest in his home club and regularly attended training session in Boley.
In his final years he surrounded himself with family and doted on his four grandchildren, Kieran, Clodagh, Emilia and Rían. He was a man of simplicity and enjoyed his daily walks and was a familiar face on Duncannon beach. He had a very strong faith and this was a great support to him during his illness and in his final days.
A large crowd gathered to bid him their farewell from all corners of the country with a huge outpouring from the Tug of War and farming communities. His funeral mass took place in St James’ Church Horeswood on Thursday, February 22, and he was laid to rest afterwards in Horeswood cemetery.
Patrick was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and friend to many, and his memory will live on with them forever.
He is predeceased by his parents and brother Martin and survived by his wife Veronica, children Padraig, Albert, Edel, Ivan and Margaret-Ann, brothers John, Laurence, William, Richard, James, Kevin, Brendan, Dermot, sisters Eileen, Maureen, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, brother-inlaw, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
His month’s mind mass will take place in St James’ Church Horeswood on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m.