Liamhadapassionforfishing andwasactiveinlocalparish
WEXFORD was greatly saddened recently by the death of Liam Devereux, a much-respected member of the local community.
Liam, who was 78, was born and raised in Castlebridge but made his home in Wexford town. He settled in Pinewood Estate with his beloved wife Liz (nee Bierney) and was a popular and active member of the Clonard community. He loved living in Pinewood and enjoyed the company of his many neighbours and friends there.
A devoted family man, Liam was overjoyed at the birth of granddaughter Amber in 2010, to son PJ and daughter-in-law Lisa.
Liam and Liz had many happy years together, and Liam was heartbroken when Liz passed away in 2012. In recent years he was also predeceased by sisters Betty and Mary (Gibbons).
Liam began his working life in Springs as an office junior after completing his Leaving Cert, cycling to work from Castlebridge to Maudlintown and back each day.
One of his first jobs was on the payroll and even in recent years could still recall the individual clock card numbers of the men who worked there.
He subsequently moved to Pierce’s foundry, managing the Springs department until his retirement.
Outside of work, Liam was active in the Labour party and involved in canvassing, impressing Brendan Corish enough to try and recruit him as his secretary. He kept an active interest in politics and continued to staff polling stations during recent elections. He always jokingly claimed it was these connections that ‘got his feet under the table’ when first introduced to his future father-in-law, Pat Bierney, who was a Labour member of the Corporation at the time.
In his youth, Liam and his friends were regular attendees at many of the dances around the county, and like many of their era would follow the Showbands from Screen to Adamstown, the Dun Mhuire to the Athenaeum and all points in between where crowds gathered to dance.
Later, Liam was involved with the local 2nd Wexford Sea Scouts as a committee member and treasurer.
His big love and passion was fishing and he was a founder member of the Saltee Sea Angling club, who organised numerous charity competitions, raising funds for the RNLI.
He represented Leinster on several occasions and won an individual medal and a team prize with other members of the Saltee club. As much as they loved fishing, Liam and his fellow club members also enjoyed a day when it was ‘ blown out’ and they had to seek shelter in The Wooden House.
Over the years, Liam participated in many parish activities, helping out at the weekly Bingo and collecting for the Clonard Parish lottery. He was a member of the Wexford Active Retirement Association where he made many good friends and, no doubt, transferred some of his fishing tall tales to his bowling performances! Liam was a man of great faith and attended Mass every day at Clonard Church.
A large turnout paid their respects as he made his last journey from Clonard to his final resting place in Castlebridge cemetery after Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Denis Lennon.
Liam is sadly missed by his son PJ, daughter-in-law Lisa, granddaughter Amber, sisters Peggy, Theresa and Anne (all Dublin), and Bernadette (London), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. May he rest in peace.