GAA ENTHUSIAST JIMMY LOVED THE FARMING LIFE
IT WAS WITH deep sadness and regret that Askamore and the surrounding areas learnt of the recent passing of Jimmy Gregan, who was in his 91st year.
Jimmy was born in Castlewhite in 1927, second son of Mick and Anne Gregan, and lived all his life on the family farm. Jimmy attended the local national school which was just across the road from his home. He spent all his working life on the family farm. He started off in his youth in an era when all the work was done with horses and even a decade ago demonstrated the skills that never left him at the Carnew heritage day.
Jimmy’s main interests were Gaelic games, farming and politics. He was a life-long GAA enthusiast and an avid supporter of Fianna Fáil and could be found arguing the state of affairs before every election. He was one of the pioneering members of the Kilrush-Askamore GAA Club and was in fact the last surviving member of the 1950s Kilrush team that beat Buffers Alley in the first ever district title for the club. He was renowned as a tough, tenacious defender that knew no bounds.
In the glory days of Wexford hurling in the 1950s Jimmy was a regular traveller to Croke Park. He received many accolades long after he retired including an award for ‘dedicated service to Cumann Luithchleas Gael’ in 1999, a presentation at the 2009 dinner dance as one of only three survivors of the 1950 team; and another presentation on his 90th birthday from the County Board in recognition of his service to the game.
He kept up a keen interest in the local club and was elected vice-president in 1992, a position he held until his passing.
In October 1956 he married Mary Doyle of Moonasootha in Ballyduff church. It was a double wedding with Mary’s sister Bridie and John O’Neill.
The respect that he and his family are held in was evident in the crowds that attended his removal and Requiem Mass in Askamore.
Jimmy was predeceased by his brothers John and Maurice, sisters Kathleen and Nancy and grandson Ted. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Ann, Brigid, Mari, Kathleen, Claire and Eileen, sisters Mary and Kathleen, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jimmy will always be remembered by his immediate family, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours as a hard working man, a staunch GAA supporter, a man who loved the land and the farming life, a man whose knowledge and expertise of livestock was often sought after and a man who always had a story, a joke or a saying for every occasion.
May he rest in peace.