The late 'Tadie' O'Connor fondly remembered
March 22nd marks one month since the passing of Mitchelstown's Tadie O’Connor, a dedicated volunteer with Park United FC, formerly of Dairygold and Mitchelstown Fire Brigade.
A volunteer groundsman at Park's grounds at Brigown for over 30 years, last August the 83-year-old cut the ribbon on the club's new facility, the Ted O'Connor Walkway, which was named in his honour. The club paid great testament to their devoted volunteer, saying that not only were they delighted to honour him that way: ‘rest assured Tadie, your name will always be synonymous with Park Utd AFC’.
Speaking with The Avondhu, Michael Curtin, a fireman with the local brigade, said that when he joined the crew in the 1990s, it was Tadie who took him 'under his wing’.
“He was easy to talk to and a bit of criac.
It always stuck in my mind; he kept an eye out for me, didn’t let me get into trouble and always pointed me in the right direction! I knew him all my life, all his family”.
“He was very helpful to all the new firemen and particularly with tax and PAYE; young fellas would be a bit green in that respect. He was very helpful and
I got on excellently with him, I always did. It was very sad to hear of his passing; he was so fresh and healthy to the end”.
In his eulogy to his late father, Patrick O’Connor spoke of a man who was a devoted husband and father, married to his wife Nellie for almost 60 years. Remembered particularly as a hard worker, good with his hands and a selfless contributor to the community, he was regarded as a man of few words, an independent man.
“He’ll be sorely missed by all of us; his work is done.”
A guard of honour from both the fire brigade and Park United FC were present at his funeral. Mr O’Connor is survived by his wife Nellie (née Hennessy), his children Jean, David, Patrick and Tadgh, and brother Ned. May he rest in peace.