Sad farewell to Tony ‘Bones’ Hartnett
IN his 51 years of life Tony Hartnett left a legacy of kindness, dedication and respect for his fellow man.
The passing of the man, known affectionately as ‘Bones’, at Cork University Hospital on Saturday, March 4 brought much sadness and shock to the Mallow community. He was dearly loved and respected by all staff and colleagues at Mallow General Hospital where he worked as a ward attendant for almost 30 years before retiring early last year due to medical reasons.
He will be dearly remembered for his kindness and concern for patients during his work on the wards and his gift of consoling and comforting those who were hospitalised for various ailments.
He was also widely admired by his many colleagues in the Thomas Davis Pipe Band where he was a drummer for 25 years.
Tony was a gifted man with his hands and when he moved from his Mallow home to Ballybeg Middle in Buttevant with his wife, Antoinette, son David and daughter Emma some years ago he renovated his new residence in to a comfortable and loving home for his family.
He loved visiting open air markets both here in Ireland and across Europe, sometimes purchasing various artefacts and restoring them with brilliant precision.
The popularity of the man, who celebrated his 51st birthday on Valentine’s Day, was proven without doubt by the thousands of people from all walks of life, young and old who attended his removal, funeral Mass and burial in St. Gobnait’s Cemetery.
Fr Michael Lomasney, who celebrated the funeral Mass, assisted by Canon Michael Harrington and Fr. O’Keeffe, paid glowing tributes to Tony during his eulogy.
Members of the Thomas Davis Pipe Band formed a guard of honour and also played as the cortege made its way to St. Gobnait’s. Staff from all sections at Mallow General Hospital formed a guard of honour in a final tearful farewell to their much loved colleague.
At the graveside family relation Donie Hartnett played a lament on the pipes as a final farewell to a true gentleman who will be sorely missed by so many.
He is survived by his wife, Antoinette, son David, daughter Emma, mother Eilish, brother Ger, sister Angela, Mother-inlaw Peggy (Murphy), relations and a large circle of work colleagues, admirers and friends.
God rest, Tony.