TRIBUTES PAID AFTER PASSING OF BERNARD LACEY AT AGE OF 78 Bernard was an encyclopaedia of opera knowledge
A STORM OF ENERGY and an encyclopaedia of opera knowledge is how Wexford will remember Bernard Lacey of The Faythe, who sadly passed away on August 11.
Bernard was 78 when he passed away peacefully in England after a long battle with illness.
Born in The Faythe in 1938, Bernard moved over to England in the 1950s where he worked in the British Leyland car factory in Oxford for many years. While in England, he was always hungry for knowledge and would attend lectures at Oxford University with his friends, despite the fact that he was not a student there. In the evenings, he would often go to the Eagle & Child pub, known as the Bird and Baby, where he would swap stories and ideas with friends just as literary giants CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien had done in the years before him.
Bernard’s love for Wexford encouraged him to move home to John Street in 1999. Despite spending much of his life in England, his home county always remained in his heart. He moved back to be closer to family and friends, as well as the Opera Festival, which he was heavily involved in.
Music was one of Bernard’s main passions and he had a particular interest in opera. However, although he was almost exclusively an opera fan, he often attended gigs of other genres as an observer and was always on hand to offer constructive advice to artists. He made quite the impression on a young Pierce Turner, who grew to know the enthusiastic and charismatic man while playing gigs in the UK. Bernard pointed out opera influences in Pierce’s music and gently steered him towards constructive influences such as James Joyce. When Bernard wanted to give you a compliment it was a big one for he didn’t talk in smalltown terms, he talked in terms of history. You were as important as anyone, whether or not you were recognised by anyone else.
Each day, Bernard would listen to a vinyl set of an opera from beginning to end and scrutinise the differences between conductors. He would speak of music as if it were fine food or wine and devoured every morsel of the piece of music.
Pierce Turner grew to become a good friend of Bernard and when they were both in Wexford, the pair would enjoy sitting in Bernard’s sitting room conversing in the fading light or listening to music, all while enjoying custard creams and fig rolls.
Later on in life, Bernard grew an interest in photography and spent hours trying to capture the perfect shot. Sport was another interest of his, particularly rugby union.
Bernard was a man of his own mind. He had strong thoughts about almost everything and didn’t follow the crowd. While boxing was rising in popularity, he felt it was brutal and cannibalistic and he wasn’t a fan of well-known opera singers such as Pavarotti and Bocelli. The weather was never suited to his liking. All of Bernard’s quirky opinions and ideas were what made him one of a kind.
Though Bernard liked to have a good rant, he was a kind-hearted soul who would never say anything bad behind somebody’s back. He was a fantastic father who always listened to his daughters Helen and Anne-Marie and made sure that he put them first. His three grandchildren Megan, Rhiannon and Cerys were his pride and joy..
Last year, Bernard returned to England to be with his children and grandchildren at the end of his life. Despite his sad passing in recent weeks, his memory will live on in his home in John Street, where he passed many hours listening to his beloved opera. He will be remembered as a great character and a true friend whose generosity and willingness to help knew no bounds.
He influenced many people in the musical and artistic fields throughout his life and his knowledge is and enthusiasm is sure to live on through these many friends.
May he rest in peace.