Obituary - Patrick (Paudie) Galvin, Lacken, Tallow, Co. Waterford
The death recently after a short illness of Paudie Galvin, Lacken, Tallow evoked great sadness around Glengoura, Conna and the wider community. In his 94th year, Paudie died peacefully at home surrounded by his 7 children, 19 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren on Wednesday, 17th November.
Paudie was an instrumental part of the community with his involvement in numerous organisations – Lacken Hall committee, Tops of The Town, the Gymkhana committee, Conna Harriers, Conna NS School Board, Lourdes Invalid Fund, etc. But it was his involvement in the GAA that brought him to the attention of so many people. He was a lifelong member of St Catherine’s GAA Club since the late 1940s, becoming juvenile chairman for a period in the 1980s when the club enjoyed great underage success. He was involved in the development of the GAA pitch in Ballynoe and spent many years acting as “First Aid” for many St Catherine’s teams.
Lots of St Catherine’s supporters remember Paudie and his great friend Dick Morrison, piling young fellas into their cars and going off to fulfil underage games. In recent years, he continued to attend all camogie and GAA games and could be seen in Church Road, Ballynoe or Páirc Uí Rinn in the company of one of his family.
Paudie’s faith was also very strong and he spent over 50 years as a canopy bearer at the Eucharistic procession in Conna, as well as being a Eucharistic Minister in Glengoura Church since 1984. He was a collector at all Masses in Glengoura for more than half a century and enjoyed many laughs in the sacristy after Mass with his great friend, Jack Hogan.
Paudie was a very progressive farmer and was one of the first farmers in the area to make silage and continued to take a keen interest in all matters related to agriculture. He loved sport and particularly enjoyed Ireland’s recent rugby victory over New Zealand.
Paudie’s remains lay in repose in Aidan Walsh and Sons Funeral Home in Tallow, where a large number of mourners turned out to offer their condolences to the family. Following the removal to Glengoura, his requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Billy O’Donovan and was live streamed to a large audience. The eulogy was delivered by his eldest daughter, Helen. Son Ed narrated the presentation of symbols which were a Mass leaflet, a comb, the Farmers Journal, an iPad, a photograph of his grandchildren, a GAA photograph and watch, which were brough up by grandchildren Laura Murray, Cathal Galvin, Saoirse and Aine O’Farrell, daughter-in-law Teresa Galvin, carer Catherine Hennessy and godchild Rory Galvin.
The readings were by his godchildren Colin Murray and Marie Arnold, while the Prayers of the Faithful were recited by grandchildren Evan and Shane Murray, Jennifer, Cormac and Maeve Galvin, Trisha Arnold and sonin-law Sean O’Farrell. The church folk choir provided beautiful singing and music throughout the Mass, led by his daughter Ann Galvin, musicians Liam Walsh, Susan and Ciara McCarthy, as well as soloists Darragh and Caoimhe Galvin, Trisha Arnold, Alice Handke and Ciara McCarthy.
Paudie’s remains were then taken to Conna Graveyard where a large guard of honour was provided by St Catherine’s GAA and Camogie clubs, before his remains were interred following prayers recited by Fr Billy O’Donovan.
Paudie will be greatly missed by his wife Breda, daughters Helen Arnold, Geraldine Murray, Ann O’Farrell and his sons Paul, Kevin, Ed and John, daughters-inlaw, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and a large circle of friends to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
Funeral arrangements by Aidan Walsh and Sons Funeral Directors, Cappoquin and Tallow.