Patrick was devoted to his family
Patrick Nugent, Ballybarrack, Dundalk, who died suddenly on 20 March, 2020 at his home in Knockbridge, was a quiet, hard-working man with a quick wit and an unwavering devotion to his wife and family.
He was a keen runner, a kind neighbour and a staunch Dundalk FC fan.
Pat, who passed away just weeks before his 75th birthday, was one of four children born to Patrick and Bridget Nugent from Springhill, Tallanstown. He was the only boy growing up with three sisters – Mary, Anna and Monica.
He spent many happy years attending the local primary school.
Pat always reminisced fondly about his childhood home: recalling his mother’s baking, his father’s fiddle playing and the days spent helping on the family farm.
He loved playing football in the garden and his younger sister Monica was always given goal-keeping duties!
As the son of a well-known musician, Pat grew up in a house filled with music, ceilis and dancing.
It was in his youth, assisted by his sister Mary, that he began his lifelong hobbies of stamp collecting and reading.
He also struck up friendships that would last throughout his life and enjoyed simple childhood pleasures such as picking blackberries, riding his pony, skating on the lake in a local field and attending a youth club in Tallanstown.
Upon leaving primary school, Pat went to Ardee Technical School before beginning work as a machinist in the chair factory, where he was employed for ten years.
During this time, he met his beloved wife, Anne Devlin, at a local dancehall. His trusty scooter helped him to spin up and down to Knockbridge to see her and he told many stories of his escapades on this bike!
Pat then moved to Birmingham and began work with a building sub-contractor, a man who remained a life-long friend. He loved his time in Birmingham, where his two eldest daughters were born, and spent many happy days watching Aston Villa FC. The love of music, instilled by his father, remained and he was a huge fan of The Beatles.
Pat and Anne returned to Knockbridge in the late 1970s and he began working for McDermott’s.
During this time, he was the manager of Springhill football club and led them to many victories, winning several cup and league titles. His eldest son was born during this time.
He then began working in the Harp Lager brewery and this was one of the happiest times of his life. He loved his job, made many great friends and remained a proud pioneer despite his place of employment!
He was a pivotal member of the Harp Lager Athletic Club and he enjoyed nothing more than going for a run at lunchtime with his friends and colleagues.
They completed several half marathons together - one of his favourites being the Great North Run in Newcastle. He encouraged and supported many peers to achieve goals and milestones in their own running journeys and he had great memories of the Autumn league and the Turkey Trot, in particular.
Whilst working in the brewery, Pat’s youngest son and daughter were born. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and his work ethic was nothing short of inspirational.
In the 1990s, Pat discovered a new thirst for travel, beginning with a family holiday to Gran Canaria.
His passion as an Ireland football fan fitted well with his love of travelling and he toured abroad to places such as Portugal, Cyprus and Malta to support his country’s team.
Following his early retirement, Pat and Anne had the holiday of a lifetime when they travelled around the world, stopping in many countries such as Thailand, Australia and America as part of their trip.
He enjoyed nothing more than collecting stamps from these countries to add to his extensive collection and trying exotic food - much to the horror of his children!
In his later years, Pat’s favourite hobby was to watch his beloved Dundalk FC; a passion he shared with many of his grandchildren. He travelled all over Ireland, and indeed abroad, to countries such as Luxembourg, Croatia and Belarus, following the Lilywhites.
He was an incredibly patient man: this was apparent within his work coaching young athletes as part of Mountpleasant Athletic Club.
Pat was a prolific reader and was possibly Dick Francis’ number one fan!
His general knowledge was superb and he loved watching quizzes and completing crosswords.
He enjoyed nature and simple pleasures, such as watching the birds building their nests or working in the garden.
Pat was a devoted Catholic and a man of real faith. His neighbours describe him as a true gentleman, who would do anything to help anyone. His warm smile and great guffaw of a laugh will be sorely missed by so many.
Pat was, above all, a kind and caring man. When his wife Anne became sick, Pat acted as a dedicated and devoted carer for her. When she moved to Blackrock Abbey Nursing Home, he visited her every single day, without fail, and was a popular visitor with many of the staff and residents on account of his great sense of humour and good-hearted nature.
He was always willing to help and support his children and he was a proud, and much loved, grandfather. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched, particularly his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, nieces, nephews and neighbours.
Pat will live on through his wife, Anne; his sons, Dermot and Paul; his daughters Susan, Karen and Linda; his grandsons Conor, Emmett, Aaron and Niall; his granddaughters, Chloe, Aoibheann and Eva; and his sister, Monica.
He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Bridget, and his two sisters, Mary and Anna.