Jim was very active in the community
ALTHOUGH fondly remembered by his many bank customers and colleagues, Jim Daly, Ard Na Mara, Blackrock, was, first and foremost, a great family man.
Through his professional life in banking, interest in sport, involvement in community affairs and charitable work in his adopted home town of Dundalk, he became well-known to many people since settling for good in the area more than 40 years ago.
Aged 85, he passed away peacefully on 8 October, 2017, in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Jim was originally from Clonaslee, Co. Laois, one of six children of Jim and Margaret (Peg) Daly.
After attending the local national school, and then boarding school in Ballyfin, he started out on a life-long career with the Munster & Leinster Bank, which was later incorporated into Allied Irish Bank (AIB) in 1966.
Jim was employed in a number of branches of the bank throughout Ireland, and work brought him to Dundalk for a time, before he became permanently based here in 1975.
It was while on holidays in Rosslare that Jim met his future wife, Rosemary Kane, a native of Dublin.
They married in 1961, settling in Dublin.
Jim and Rosemary raised a family of five, two sons and three daughters; and he revelled in the subsequent arrival of six grandchildren.
As Jim’s career in AIB advanced, he was promoted to manager in Monaghan in 1974, and the next year transferred back to Dundalk in a similar capacity.
He remained in the position until his retirement in 1990 and is still highly thought of today.
A keen golfer, once boasting a handicap of 3, Jim was a member of the Dundalk and Greenore clubs, and served as Captain of Greenore where he helped put together the constitution of the club.
Jim represented Ireland in the sport, and among his numerous successes on the course was twice winning the Ulster Amateur Seniors’ Championship.
Apart from golf, a lot of time was spent on the Cooley peninsula, from the AIB sub-office in Carlingford, to family holidays every summer in Gyles’ Quay.
Jim also kept a boat at Blue Anchor, Bellurgan Point, and helped get the inaugural Carlingford Oyster Festival off the ground.
He was a member of Dundalk Rotary Club where he was President in 1982-93, and he served on the Parents’ Committees of St. Louis and the Marist College, where his children att ended.
He was involved, during retirement, in setting up Dundalk Counselling Centre, and, with Rosemary, took people for cancer treatments, and worked with ‘Meals on Wheels’.
Jim loved singing and gardening, and enjoyed attending matches his grandchildren were playing in.
He was very proud of them all, and no matter what the sport, he was to be found along the side-line offering support.
Prior to his passing, Jim attended the Birches Centre for six months.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rosemary; sons, Jim and Paul (London); daughters, Sarah, Ruth and Jane; grandchildren, Robert, Sophie, Andrew, Ben, Aoife and Thomas; sonsin-law, Francis Verling, Stephen Lynch and Ian Russell; daughter-in-law, Eilís Kennedy; brothers, John and Billy; sisters, Annette and Sr. Kathleen; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his brother, Michael.
After reposing at his home, his remains were removed on 11 October, 2017, to St. Fursey’s Church, Haggardstown, where the funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Brian White, who delivered the eulogy.
The readings were given by Jane and Paul; and the prayers of the faithful led by Jim’s six grandchildren.
Sr. Kathleen and Jim Jr. participated in the offertory procession; while gifts symbolising Jim’s life were brought to the altar by Ruth, Francis, Stephen, Ian and Eilís.
These included a family photograph, his golf putter, reference books and a copy of The Irish Times representing his love of crosswords.
At the end of the ceremony, Sarah gave a reflection.
Music was provided by soloist, Sarah McCourt, accompanied by organist, Brendan McCourt.
As he left the church, Jim’s party piece, ‘ Phil The Fluter’ was played.
Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.