Sadness as Paddy Ward passes away in 103rd year
COLLON lost its oldest citizen on Saturday with the death of Paddy Ward in his 103rd year.
Although born in Westmeath, he was raised near Donacarney in Meath and lived most of his life in Collon.
He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2015 and was in great health until just a few weeks ago.
Paddy’s family were born and bred into the lighthouse keeping life but finally came ashore in the early part of the last century.
He was born in Castlepollard but his early life was on the Mill Road, close to the Grammar School. They also lived at Colpe and Paddy went to school in the old red brick building on the corner. His aunt, Tilly Sheehy was a teacher there and the principal was Mr Doherty who took care of a class of 74!
He played with the Star of the Sea GAA team on the Eastham Road.
He worked in Woodington’s boot factory from 1935 to 1966 and moved to Donaghy’s shoe factory until in closed in 1985.
He once spoke about the great rivalry between the two shoe firms and how they’d have to watch for ‘spies’ - looking to steal ideas.
Paddy and his wife, May, a Fleming from Collon, who is 99, lived together in their house in the centre of the village since 1951.
Paddy’s funeral is this Wednesday in Collon and he is survived by wife May, son Mick (San Diego) daughters Marian (Portarlington) and Patricia Casey (Drogheda), other family and friends.