Family, gardening and sport were Paddy’s great passions
PADDY Foley of Knockmoyle, Tralee and late of Blennerville, passed away peacefully on April 3 surrounded by his loving family.
Paddy was born on July 21, 1936, to parents John and Helen Foley (nee Quill). He was the eldest of five brothers, Bill, Jack, Denis, Charlie and Mike; and three sisters, Maurade, Shirley and Helen.
Paddy started work as an apprentice plasterer at the young age of 15. He worked with his uncle, Bill Quill, on the St Brendan’s Park Houses and later with the O’Mahony and Fitzgerald Brothers.
He met his future wife, Irene Keane, at a dance in the Ashe Memorial Hall. They married in 1958 having emigrated to England, where Paddy once again worked with his uncle, Bill. They returned to Tralee a few years later, where he was offered a job with the Council. Subsequently he went to work for CIE under foreman and great friend Jackie Power. He spent 25 years with CIE taking over as foreman when Jackie retired. When his department closed he started his own small construction business, which he ran until he retired due to ill health.
Paddy had a number of interests and hobbies and always volunteered his time freely; he was a founder member of Tralee CIE Credit Union and served as a director on their board for many years. He had a great love of football, and in particular liked to support his local club, Kerins O’Rahillys. He ran the O’Rahilly Club Lotto with his good friend Freddy Brown (RIP) for a number of years. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the club, talking about the trials and tribulations on the football field with the players and meeting his good friend Paddy Griffin for a chat.
Paddy was a great lover of music and loved to dance, and with a bit of encouragement he would sometimes join in with a song or two himself. He loved gardening and took great pride in his beautiful garden in Knockmoyle. He also enjoyed his daily walks and his visits to the Dominican church, where he lit candles for us all.
He was a very proud and loving father to his sons, Sean and Alan, and his daughter, Susan. His grandchildren, Mandy, Mark, Erin and Michelle, who all reside in the USA held a very special place in his heart. His granddaughters, Aislinn and Melanie, will never forgot their kind hearted grandfather ‘Da’ who collected them from school every day and was a constant in their lives until the end.
Paddy’s family would like to thank the Staff of University Hospital Kerry, in particular Dr Patricia Sheehan and her team in palliative care, who made sure Paddy’s last days were peaceful. We are also very grateful to Dr O’Shea, who was always so generous with his time. Thank you to all of you who offered your condolences to us at this difficult time, your kind words and happy memories of Paddy were much appreciated. A Memorial Mass will be held for Paddy at a later date.
Paddy is survived by his wife, Irene; his sons, Sean and Alan; his daughter, Susan; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Maurade; son-in-law, Aidan; Sean’s fiancée, Helen; brothers and sisters; nieces and nephews.
May his Gentle Soul Rest in Peace