Paddywas apeople person

PATRICK (Paddy) Gribben, who died peacefully at his Ballybarrack home on 8 October, surrounded by his loving wife and children, was the eldest of twelve in his family, and the first to pass away.

He had turned 79 just two weeks before his death.

He was originally from Dowdallshill, one of six sons of John and Ita (nee Muckian) Gribben, the couple also having six daughters.

He attended the Christian Brothers School in Dundalk, and afterwards served his time as a mechanic in McCann’s on The Ramparts (now Fyffes).

However, Paddy decided that was not the profession for him, and he instead joined Customs & Excise, where he remained until his retirement.

His job as a customs officer took him to a number of locations along the border, and he was also based in Greenore port.

At the time of his retirement, Paddy was operating at Dundalk port.

His main focus in life was on his wife, Rosemary and children – seven daughters and one son.

Consequently, he enjoyed home life, where he was most at ease, never being a man for holidays away.

Paddy was an avid reader, with his own library of books, covering a wide variety of interests.

A very intelligent man, he was a great people person, and from his school days and through his working life, he made a number of life-long friends.

Paddy is sadly missed by his wife, Rosemary (nee Clancy); children, Jacqueline Cleary (New Zealand), Patricia Kehoe (Newry), Catherine Soraghan (Knockbridge), Mary Connolly (Drumcar), Theresa Clarke (Greenore), Patrick (Newcastle, England), Rachel Birch (Bellurgan) and Ruth (home).

He is also survived by his brothers, Owen (Newry), Arthur (Thailand), Jim (Faughart), John (Dundalk) and Donald (Birmingham); sisters, Gertie McRory (Manchester), Maura McCormack (Blackrock), Ita Hughes (Carrickmacross), Agnes Haughey (Doylesfort Road), Imelda Campbell (Dundalk) and Beatrice Thompson (Dublin); grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-inlaw, daughter-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.

After reposing at his residence, his remains were removed to St Mary’s Church in Knockbridge, where Fr. Paddy Rushe officiated at the funeral Mass. Also present were Fr. Derek (Drumcar) and Fr. Noel Kehoe (Newry) of the Redemptorist Order.

Readings were given by grandchildren, Judith and Leah; and the Prayers of the Faithful were led by grandchildren, Rebecca, Katie and Tom.

A pipe and tobacco, and his cap, symbols representing Paddy’s life, were brought to the altar by his youngest grandchildren, James and Harry.

Jacqueline gave a touching eulogy about her father.

Burial took place afterwards to the adjoining cemetery.

The Month’s Mind Mass will take place on Saturday, 5 November, at 7.30pm in St. Mary’s Church, Knockbridge.