Sport-madChristywasa lovinghusbandandfather
CHRISTY Woods, O’Hanlon Park, Dundalk died on 30 September, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital following a short illness.
He was the last surviving member of a family of six, whose father James and fellow pilot John Lambe drowned while lighting the river lights on the Navvy Bank.
Christy was a year-old when the tragedy occurred on 10 February, 1936, leaving his mother Kathleen to raise two sons and four daughters.
The family home was in Saint Gerard’s Square and school for Christy was in the Christian Brothers.
In his early teens he went to work in the town’s then thriving shoe industry. His future wife Maura McGuirk, who was born in Lisdoo and reared in O’Hanlon Park, worked in the same factory.
A quirk of fate brought them together when Christy stopped to fix Maura’s bicycle. Love blossomed from there, and led to marriage on a snowy Saint Stephen’s Day, which lasted practically 60 years.
Christy was employed in Rawson’s until it was destroyed by fire in August 1967 leading to the loss of 500 jobs.
In those bleak days for employment he demonstrated his aptitude for and willingness to work to support his wife and bring up their family. These qualities remained with him throughout his long and active life.
He took on whatever work he could find, such as on farms picking potatoes, and travelled all over the country as a labourer.
He proudly worked on the new PJ Carroll’s factory on the Dublin Road, now incorporated into DkIT.
Christy and Maura set up home in O’Hanlon Park where they spent all of their married life.
They enjoyed dancing in their younger years, frequenting the popular venues of the Hibs’ hall in Jocelyn Street, the town hall and the Adelphi when the showband era was in full swing and Dickie Rock and Sonny Knowles were entertainers in demand.
Christy loved the showbands and the singing of Joseph Locke, and was fond of country music, Daniel O’Donnell a favourite of his.
He had a love of sport as a player and a follower of soccer, and enjoyed watching other sport on television including rugby when Ireland were playing, as well as the big horse racing highlights.
Christy turned out with local club Saint Patrick’s in the junior league, and attended Dundalk games and in latter times went to the cup finals. He was looking forward to going to the decider with Shamrocks Rovers on 3 November.
He was also an avid Manchester Utd supporter, and at any opportunity he went to see them play at Old Trafford. Fittingly, ‘Glory, Glory Man. United’ was played as he was taken from the church for burial.
A daily walker with his dog, he was wellknown from his rambles about the town, and there were quite a few people he met and shared time with, judging by the numbers who turned up at his wake and funeral.
Christy enjoyed a drink and a sing-song on a social night out with Maura and good friend John McMahon, and was known for his rendition of ‘ Eileen O’Grady’.
A highlight for the couple was holidays within the country and in the sun in Lanzarote and the Canaries. Christy liked to go off walking and take in the scenery and have a drink and engage in craic.
Along with sport he derived a lot of pleasure from watching County and Western programmes. Also, he would endlessly view The Last of the Summer Wine comedy series.
His health sadly took a downward turn a few months ago. He received great care in hospital, especially from the Palliative Care team.
He was predeceased by two of his grandchildren, Megan and Keith
Christy is sadly missed by his loving wife, Maura; son, Bobby; daughters, Christine Murden, Andrea O’Hare, Melissa Farrell and Olivia McGee; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth; sons in-law David, Paul, John and Paul; grandchildren, Peter, Christopher, Debbie, Kim, Carlann, Jordan, Saoirse, Keadie, Carl, Seán, Aaron, Gráinne, Teagan; great-granddaughter, Brooke; Peter’s wife, Paulina; brothers-in-law, Patsy McGuirk and Tom Carroll; sister-inlaw, Ann; nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, relatives, wonderful neighbours and friends.
He reposed at his residence on the Tuesday and was removed the next morning to Saint Nicholas’ Church for funeral Mass.
The celebrant was Father Maciej Zacharek CC who delivered the eulogy.
The Prayers of the Faithful were led by Paulina, Kim, Jordan, Saoirse, Aaron, Carlann, Keadie, Seán, Christopher and Alice
The Readings were given by Debbie and Martina.
The Offertory gifts were taken up by his grandchildren, Teagan and Gráinne.
Grandson, Peter read a touching poem, while the beautiful music was provided by organist, Trevor Clarke and singer, Lisa McGuinness.
Burial took place in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Dowdallshill.
Month’s Mind Mass is on Sunday, 3 November in Saint Nicholas Church at 12 noon.