Gentle Tommie was a gift to all the live she touched
THERE was widespread sadness felt at the passing of Thomas Foley of Ballykerogue in April and his loss and gentle ways are still keenly missed by his family and the widespread community.
Tommie was the youngest born into a loving family who lived at Ballyfarnogue ‘ Rathphuca’, later moving to Ballykerogue.
He had a stormy start to life as he was born at a tiny 2lbs. Through careful and kind nursing by his parents, Tom and Bridget Foley, and Nurse Kennedy, he survived his first fight in life and thrived to reach the ripe old age of 81 years. As Tommie put it ‘any age over 70 is a bonus’, giving Tommie 11 bonus years.
Tommie was predeceased by his brother Seamus and sister Bridie Malone. He is sadly missed by his brother John and sister Margaret Murphy, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Tommie worked in a variety of jobs throughout his years. He began with building with his father and brothers, and even considered becoming a jockey but then decided to leave for London where he worked in a wine merchants come bar.
He excelled at this job and was very popular with both staff and customers of all walks of life. A family wedding drew him home to Wexford and he began working in the Talbot Hotel. He later worked with the Shelburne Co- Op and then with Bobby Quinn.
Following this, he was self employed owning a bread van and was reknowned throughout the county on his bread round for his sharp wit, kind smile and gentle ways.
He always worked hard and would never leave a job unfinished.
Outside of his work, Tommie was involved in tennis and set up bowls in Campile Hall. He excelled at playing and coaching badminton and was fairly handy at golf.
He thoroughly enjoyed watching horse racing and everything about horses.
This love of horses developed when he rode out the Murphy’s horses as a young boy. He later lived his dream by being part of a syndicate owning the race winning horse Tahadi.
This great interest continued throughout his life. It was apt that Tommie got out of hospital just in time for Cheltenham 2020.
He was involved within his community throughout his involvement in Horeswood Church, Campile Hall, and St Vincent de Paul.
He executed all these duties with his usual discretion showing a great interest in people.
When people describe Tommie, there is one word that is repeated by all - gentleman. Gentle – man. Tommie was a gift to all the lives he touched.
He had a cracking sense of humour and could light up a room with his smile. He was a calm person who was kind to all people and animals.
He had a genuine interest in people and loved to hear what they had to say. He often rambled to houses, playing cards, drinking tea, telling yarns and these were the makings of some of his happiest memories.
He liked to live by a self made rule of meeting three new people every day. He was a supporter, advisor and role model to many and, just like his parents, he led by example.
Tommie always put the needs of others in front of his own. He never criticised anyone and felt that all people needed to make mistakes to learn. He also believed that we are never finished learning.
He accepted whatever life threw at him with great dignity and pride.
Tommie’s wish for everyone is that when this crisis is over that we keep in contact and visit each other, as nothing is more important than human connection.
Tommie passed away peacefully at his home on April 18 with his family by his side – following a long illness which he bore with his usual great dignity and grace. A small funeral mass was held.
The family would like to thank Tommie’s many carers, nurses, doctors and hospital staff who provided exceptional care to Tommie in his final months. They would also like to thank Fr O’Leary for his support and the beautiful funeral mass for Tommie.
As the funeral cortege passed, large numbers of people stood in respect outside their homes and in the village of Campile and that show of solidarity will help the family over the coming weeks and months to come.
A memorial mass will take place at a later date for Tommie’s wider family, neighbours and many friends.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.