Michael was a popular community man
THE recent sudden death occurred of Michael Rochford, late of Lough Talt.
He was 69 years old, and son of the late Patrick and Kate. Michael played a huge role in the local community.
“Rocky” as he was affectionately known to many, was a larger than life character who always brought joy, fun and laughter to the many who knew him.
Prone to exaggeration of gigantic proportions for the sake of effect in telling a story, those that really knew what happened still enjoyed the story despite the inaccuracies, such was the enthusiasm in which it was told.
Mickey was a great community man throughout South Sligo and never recognised parochial boundaries in his efforts for the greater good.
As a young adult, he worked in Dublin and it was there he met Margaret, the love of his life and whom he married.
After spending over 10 years in Dublin, they returned home to Lough Talt where they built their home overlooking the beautiful lake.
While farming and setting up a number of businesses, Michael also threw himself into local clubs while rearing his young family.
He was Chairman of Tourlestrane GAA Club for a number of years in the mid 1990s and among the highlights was overseeing Tourlestrane win the County Championship in 1994.
He was also a very active member of Tubbercurry Gun Club and was very proud of the Grouse Restoration Project that the club are doing at present on the Ox Mountains in the Lough Talt area.
Michael was also very involved in the Cock Pheasant Competition that raises money for charity each November.
The Ox Mountains and the walks around Lough Talt were very close to his heart, and he was involved in all the walk developments in that area over the last 20 years.
In business, Mickey was one of the first to set up a Waste Collection and Management Business as the Council moved away from that work.
He had collection runs over many parts of South and West Sligo in the 1980s and ‘ 90s.
After undergoing serious heart surgery, he had to slow down his work, but it did not curtail his enthusiasm for encouraging others to do their best in work, leisure and community development.
Mickey will be missed by the many who knew him, but his infectious enthusiasm for life and laughter brought joy to all whose lives he touched.
He was laid to rest only a week before the opening of the Grouse Shooting Season and if he were alive today and met a shooting colleague, his first words would be “Were you out?”.
Mickey is survived by his beloved wife Margaret, sons Stephen, Enda, Michael, Adrian and Gavin, daughter Lena, sisters Lucy, Helen, Mary, Catherine and Margaret, brothers John, P. J. and Martin, nephews, nieces, in- laws, Uncle Mick and many friends, all to whom sympathy is extended.
May he Rest in Peace.