‘A man of the people’
THE family of the late Billy Curtin have expressed their thanks to the people of Tralee and Kerry for the “exceptional kindness” they have shown the family following the death of the renowned musician.
The Curtin family said they had been overwhelmed by the goodwill of the people of Tralee and were deeply thankful for the many messages of support they have received in recent days.
“I and the family would like to thank everybody for their kindness. Everybody in Tralee has been so supportive and we are so, so appreciative,” said Billy Curtin’s wife Eleanor.
“Billy was a man of the people who loved everyone he met. Material things didn’t interest him. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful father and we will miss him terribly,” she said.
Glowing tributes to Billy Curtin have flowed in since news of his death emerged last Thursday.
Cllr Johnny Wall, who was a close friend and a musical contemporary of Billy Curtin, said his death was a huge loss to Tralee.
“The thing about Billy was he was an absolutely fantastic musician. He could play anything. He could have played in any band or orchestra in the world but he decided Tralee was the place for him,” he said.
“He was a tremendous charity worker and would always be available to support any charity event,” added Cllr Wall.
Tralee-based entertainer Mark Leen, a close friend of Billy Curtin, also paid tribute to his talent.
“He was a very close friend. I worked with him since I was 20 and he was an exemplary musician,” said Mr Leen.
“He was a great man and his death is a huge loss to the town of Tralee. He was always positive and upbeat and he never ever had a bad word to say about anybody,” he said.