The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killorglin mourns a pillar of its sporting and cultural life
Tom Curtayne, late of Dunmaniheen, Killarney road, Killorglin.
KILLORGLIN and the wider Kerry community was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Tom Curtayne on the 15th of July 2020.
Tom was born in The Railway Hotel (now the Manor Inn) Killorglin on January 27 th 1945. He was born to William and Margaret Curtayne who ran the hotel at that time. He attended Scoil Mhuire for his primary years, later attending the Tech for three years. He then decided to begin his working life as a heating installer with Mr. Fezer, Fossa.
He married Joan Condon, a nurse from Killorglin, on June 28th 1969 in Muckross Church, Killarney. They resided in Ardmoniel, Killorglin and started their family with three boys for the first few years of married life, while Tom built their forever home on the Killarney Road. Three girls were then to follow. As a life-long resident of Killorglin, he loved the town and its people.
Having worked for Kerry Petroleum for a few years, he went out on his own in the mid-seventies, starting his own business servicing oil heating and cooking appliances. The many loyal customers he looked after during over forty years of work, looked forward to seeing him, and appreciated his expertise, chat and banter. This has been reflected in the overwhelming number of messages, letters and cards of condolence received by his family. As a very hard worker, with somewhat unpredictable working hours, he still found time for his family and his local community, sharing his talent for singing in the local Pantomime for over 30 years, charity productions, church choirs, weddings, funerals and Irish nights at the Fishery.
His commitment to Killorglin Rugby club resulted in the establishment of under age and senior teams to the town. Along with John Healy, he was a leading figure in nurturing, developing and maintaining a thriving club. serving as President and a Trustee of the club.
Living next to the River Laune, Tom took an interest in fishing in later life which was a joy to all the family when there was a freshly caught fish for dinner! He enjoyed the time on the river, as well as the camaraderie amongst his fellow fishermen, even when the bigger catch of the day or season wasn’t his!
Whilst a deeply-rooted Killorglin man, he enjoyed travelling to many parts of the world. From Thomond Park in Limerick to Eden Park in Auckland, and from Vienna to the Sydney Opera House, he seized any opportunities to visit family, attend concerts/operas and sporting occasions.
His enjoyment of gardening became even more special when the grandchildren arrived. They would spend many a day out with him sowing seeds, weeding, filling the pond, or planting new vegetables. Waiting for the strawberries or tomatoes to turn red seemed to take an eternity for them and never lasted very long once ready to pick!
He and Joan enjoyed 51 years of marriage in 2020. For their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2019, they celebrated with a fantastic family weekend with their children, partners and grandchildren in Cork which will be remembered as a special time with him in full health.
It was shortly after this, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he handled with great courage and strength. Coronavirus ultimately stopped him from working in March of this year, which enabled him to spend more time cocooning with Joan at home. Little did they realise how important all that time would be until he sadly passed away peacefully with her and his family at his side at home on July 15th.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Joan, his children Paul, Bryan, Ronan, Jean, Lucy and Helen, his grandchildren Matthew, Sean, Holly, Jack, Cian, Zoey, Fionn, Dara, Alex and Niamh, his brothers Enda and Liam, his in-laws, nephews, nieces and many friends.