Choir was Ray’ s lifetime passion
RAY NOLAN, former President and secretary of Wexford Male Voice Choir, passed away last Saturday.
In a tribute to him on social media, Ger Lawlor said the choir was Ray’s lifetime passion.
In his many years as secretary the choir went from strength to strength, purchasing its own premises, singing all over Ireland and Wales, and taking part in and winning many competitions.
‘In 2000, Ray invited me to become its 4th musical director, a position I held with honour for seven years. During that time, we toured to Boston, sang at the inaugural London St Patrick’s Day Festival, including Mass in Westminster Cathedral and an appearance in front of an audience of over 25,000 in Trafalgar Square,’ said Ger.
‘We had some memorable festival concerts together as well. Ray’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm, and not forgetting his beautiful lyric tenor voice was an inspiration to all of us.
‘Ray’s was a generation where men sang all of the time, in work, at home and of course socially. His song was ‘ The Old Man’ and he sang it beautifully:
Ray is the beloved husband of Ellen (Nell) and loving father of Tom, Raymond, Alan and Helen, brother of Ned, Clare, Imelda, Tessie and Maureen.
He is sadly missed by his family, son-inlaw Michael, daughters-in-law Clare, Susie and Sandra, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Stuart, Yvonne, Tracey, Michelle, Ryan and Kate, great-grandchildren, Lauren Lexi and Josh, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
His Requiem Mass took place at the Church of the Assumption Bride Street yesterday (Monday) followed by burial in Screen Cemetery.