ESMOND WAS THE LAST DELIVERY BOY
WEXFORD’S last bicycle messenger boy Esmond Power of 87 St. Aidan’s Crescent has sadly died at the age of 72.
Esmond was employed for 37 years as a messenger boy by Hore’s Stores in South Main Street, delivering parcels and post throughout the town and continuing in the job long after the tradition of bike deliveries had died out.
Born in St. Aidan’s Crescent where he lived all his life, Esmond was one of three sons of the late Jim and Anastasia Power (nee Furlong) and was educated at the CBS School.
From the age of 16, he worked for two years with the milkman Billy Walker, later moving as a messenger boy to Patrick Gaynor’s. He then joined Hore’s Stores Ltd which was run at the time by the late and legendary Johnny Hore, father of the current directors.
Over the years Esmond became a muchloved ambassador of the department store, cycling proudly in shirt and tie, covering countless miles on his sturdy bike with its metal parcel carrier and basket.
During those 37 years, he continued to use the same bike which was repaired and re-fitted as required. When scooters took over the role of bicycles, Esmond still preferred the bike.
When he retired from the job in 2000 to look after his mother Anastasia in her final illness, he stopped cycling and took to walking.
He went for a walk every morning on Wexford quayfront and marina and later dropped in to Ladbroke’s in St. Aidan’s Shopping Centre to back a horse. He never put more than €3.50 on a bet and was a regular backer of Lucky 15.
He was a member of Browne’s Social Club and attended various enjoyable get-togethers and outings over the years. He played darts in the pub every Friday night. At home, he loved watching western films on television and was a fan of John Wayne.
Esmond who died suddenly at home on January 30, is survived by his brother Raymond; his sisters-in-law Peggy and Kathleen; his nephews Jimmy, Graham, Jayson and Adam; his nieces Geraldine, Carrieann, Lorna, Amy and Joanne, and by Samantha and her family. He is also survived by his grand-nieces, grand-nephews and his extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Noel who passed away in 2007.
Esmond was very fond of his nieces and nephews and had a very good relationship with them. ‘He had a heart of gold. He hadn’t a bad word to say about anyone’, said his nephew Jayson.
At his funeral Mass in Bride Street Church, his grand-niece Lilly and grand-nephew Lee brought darts and betting dockets with a pen to the altar as symbols of Esmond’s life.
Esmond was buried in St. Fintan’s Cemetery, Taghmon alongside his beloved parents and his brother. His mother Anastasia was a native of Taghmon.
Hore’s Stores was represented at the funeral by members of management and staff who turned up to pay their last respects to a very popular former employee.