Esmondelivedfulland happylifeasafamily manandfriendtoall
ESMONDE Sarsfield, 88 Years, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2018 at St Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin surrounded by his family.
Esmonde, originally from Platten Road, Drogheda, and Raheny, Dublin for the past 50 years, was the eldest son of Michael and Katie Sarsfield. He had two brothers, Donal (Stameen), Val (deceased) and one sister Marie (deceased).
On finishing school, Esmonde commenced employment with Irish Cement in Drogheda, where he completed his apprenticeship. Following that he was employed by ESB for over 30 years at various power stations across the country, namely, Moneypoint, Co Clare, Shannonbridge, Co Offaly, Tarbert, Co Kerry and Poolbeg, Dublin.
While employed in ESB, Esmonde developed a product that ESB patented and is still in use in power stations today.
Such was Esmonde’s mechanical knowledge and expertise, he also lectured in Bolton Street in Dublin to student mechanical engineers.
During this period, Esmonde married Kathleen Johnson from Hardman’s Gardens in 1953 in St Peter’s Church, West Street, with reception in the White Horse Hotel. 50 years later, they celebrated their Golden Jubilee with a special Mass in St Peter’s Church followed by reception in the Westcourt Hotel (formerly the White Horse Hotel).
Esmonde and Kathleen were happily married for 65 years.
When Esmonde retired from the ESB, he set up a family-run engineering business and within a short period of time, designed, manufactured and patented electronic cash security safes for use on semi-State Dublin Bus fleets.
This was followed by orders from Lusaka, Zambia, after a visit to Ireland by a delegation from National Bus Company in Zambia.
Esmonde also designed, manufactured and patented a new-style post box for An Post that are still in use around Ireland today.
He also won contracts from Irish rail and Bus Eireann despite strong competition, and manufactured oil and solid fuel boilers for the Danish and Irish markets.
An article in the Drogheda Independent in 2015 stated ‘ they say no man had a better tenor voice than the great Esmonde Sarsfield’.
In his early years, Esmonde sang in numerous pantomimes, operas and variety shows, sang duet with Pat Mooney in the Old Queen’s Royal Theatre in Dublin, and also did a duet with Pat in ‘Lily of Killarney’ in Drogheda.
Esmonde’s rendition of ‘Soldier’s Dream’ in pantomime at the Gate Cinema in 1950 brought the house down and got rave reviews in national papers.
Esmonde also sang in a four-man group ‘ The Melody Men’ in the 40s and 50s, performing at the Adelphi, Dundalk, and Whitworth Hall, Drogheda, and at various music halls around the country.
Their close harmony was so popular, they were invited to Radio Eireann to perform; other singers that day included Val Doonican and Brendan O’Dowda, who were just starting on their roads to stardom.
Esmonde’s singing of ‘Sweet Sixteen’ and ‘I will take you home again Kathleen’ was memorable.
The general consensus at the time suggested that if Esmonde had taken a different path then, his beautiful tenor voice would have been up there with the best in the business.
Esmonde also produced a record, including songs ‘Santo Natali’ and ‘I will walk beside you’. These were later put in CD form and were touchingly played at Esmonde’s funeral mass and cremation, which was very moving and emotional.
Esmonde’s favourite pastimes included trips to his cottage at Seapoint, Termonfeckin overlooking the beach where he and Kathleen relaxed with walks on the strand, socialising locally, meeting up with family, relatives and old friends in their hometown of Drogheda.
Esmonde was an avid reader, a good Western book or film were favourites.
Esmonde like his father was a greyhound owner and trainer, and was also a horse racing fan, with many a fine gamble pulled off in both codes over the years.
Despite Esmonde’s health issues in latter years, he always returned home with a smile on his face. His main concern was the well-being of his wife Kathleen and family, playing down his own situation.
A true family man, gentleman and friend to the end.
Esmonde is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Alan and Barry, daughters Carol, Jennifer, Catherine, brother Donal, daughter-in-law Geraldine, sonin-law Ken, and grandchildren and great grandchildren.