Tim was a marvel lo us character who lit up every room
HAVING worked most of his life in the drapery and drinks businesses Tim Corbett was a consummate man of style, class and sophistication, who loved living in his adopted hometown of Dungarvan, where his sudden death on April 27 following a brief illness led to shock and sadness.
The son of general grocers Bernard and Catherine, Tim grew up in a loving home alongside Bernard, his late sister Mary, Tom, Catherine and Jim. He attended Ballymitty NS and went on to St Peter’s College.
A marvellous singer he won the Fleadh Cheoil All Ireland for his performance of the Wexford song, The Blood Stained Bandage. He would break into song at social gatherings, often prompted to do so.
Like his older siblings Tim helped out in the family grocers, Corbett’s.
He grew up alongside his cousins, the Wallaces, and after school went to work at the Shelburne Co-op in Campile in the drapery and retail departments.
He then moved to Darragh’s landmark shop in Dungarvan, where he became manager. He was president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in the town for a time and was known by most of the Co Waterford town’s residents over the years.
Always up for a new challenge, he moved into the drinks industry and worked for Fitzgerald’s and Diageo, and moving to Irish Distillers, before returning to Diageo.
He took early retirement aged 55 and settled into a life of leisure and pleasure in his adopted hometown, living in a lovely house on Friar’s Walk.
With a gregarious, fun loving personality, Tim lit up every room he walked into and was very popular with people of all ages. Tim loved the finer things in life, especially good food and fine wines and whiskey. He enjoyed spending time in the Moorings pub on the quay.
A single man, he always found time for his family and loved nothing more than catching up with his siblings and nephews and nieces.
He visited his brother Jim every few days while he was recuperating in hospital earlier this year. Sadly Tim’s health suffered a setback in early spring and his passing on April 27 aged 64, despite the best efforts of his good friend and the ambulance crew who tried to revive him, came as a great shock to many.
Tim’s remains were brought back to his native Wellingtonbridge and his childhood friend, undertaker James Ryan, whose father’s pub Tim worked at in his youth, drove his remains passed his family home, prior to his removal to Ringaskiddy Crematorium.
Tim is survived by his brothers Bernard and his wife Wendy (Manchester); Tom and his wife Eileen (Batterstown); Jim and his wife Marie (Celbridge); sister Catherine O’Callaghan and her husband Gerry (Kilkee); his nieces, nephews and his large circle of friends.
May he Rest in Peace.