Cork native Colm had embraced Wexford life OBITUARY
THE COMMUNITIES of Wexford, Cork and Kilmuckridge turned out in huge numbers for the very sad funeral of Colm O’Callaghan, who died on November 11 at the age of 45 after a long and courageous battle with neuroendocrine tumours, which he fought with great dignity and humility.
Colm was born in Cork in 1972, went to school in Coláiste Chríost Rí and then studied accountancy in Cork RTC. Not long after graduating he secured a position with the Environmental Protection Agency in Wexford and moved at the age of 23 to live and work in Wexford.
From the outset, Colm embraced Wexford and Wexford embraced Colm. His affinity for Wexford was probably sealed in the great summer of 1996 when the sun was shining and Wexford brought home the Liam McCarthy Cup.
However, Colm was a fiercely proud Cork man and that proudness never left him. When he first came to Wexford, he worked part-time as a bar man in the Regal Lodge, where he became known as ‘Corky’.
After working with the EPA for a number of years he took up a position as Financial Controller in Convertec. He then went into private practice as an accountant with LG
Cody where he later became partner.
For the last number of years he ran the practice which by that stage had become O’Callaghan
O’ Mahony, with his partner Helen O’Mahony in Clonard
Business Park.
In 2003, Colm married Majella
O’Connor from Kilmuckridge and they had two boys, Fionn and Donnacha. Colm was extremely proud of his family and was at his happiest when spending time with them whether that was enjoying simple picnics, family holidays or the traditional Sunday drive.
Having lived in Clonard since he moved to Wexford, in 2015 Colm fulfilled his dream of living in the country when the family moved to their new home in Coolree.
Colm was very active in the Wexford community. He and Majella and the boys joined Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club. They made many great friends there through standing on the sidelines, coaching and going on rugby trips. He was also a great supporter of Glynn-Barntown GAA Club, regularly watching the boys play.
He was on the board of management of Barntown National School, where he was famed for bringing his accountancy skills to bear on budgets and always trying to spot an opportunity to achieve efficiencies and save money.
Colm contracted neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) in 2006. He wanted to learn as much about it as he could and wanted to help other people with the illness.
In 2012, along with other NETs patients, including RTE’s Tommie Gorman, Colm founded the NETs Patient Network. The NETs Patient Network is a support organisation set up for patients of neuroendocrine tumours in Ireland to provide information and support services. Colm helped organise an annual conference every year bringing in leading experts from Ireland and all over the world to speak at the event.
In March of this year, Colm was extremely proud to be invited, along with the committee of the NETs Patient Network, to attend a special event to mark the awarding of the status of a Centre of Excellence to St Vincent’s Hospital by the Minister for Health Simon Harris.
He also served time on the Board of Directors for The Hope Cancer Support Centre in Enniscorthy.
Anyone who encountered Colm in life remarked on his organisational ability, inquisitive nature and his enthusiasm for a good debate. He was one of life’s true gentlemen. While gone far too soon, he has left behind a wonderful legacy and great memories.
He is sadly missed by his loving wife Majella; sons Fionn and Donnacha; father Sean; mother-in-law Kathleen; brothers Brian and Cian; sisters-in-law Susan and Ciara; brothers-in-law Aidan and Tom and sister-in-law Ann-Marie and their spouses Helene, Mary and Patrick and his many nephews, nieces, wider family and friends.
Colm’s months mind will take place at 11 a.m. in St Alphonsus Church in Barntown on Sunday, December 10.