Death of popular Portroe man

The death took place on Thursday of last week of Denis Seymour of Garrykennedy, a highly popular member of the community of Portroe and a committed and loyal servant to his native parish.

Denis was born in Landsdowne, Portroe, in 1937, the second youngest in the family of seven boys of his parents James and Johanna.

A hard-working and innovative farmer for most of his life, he ultimately retired and took up golf and fishing for which he had a great passion. As his son James stated in a tribute after his Funeral Mass in Saint Mary's Church, Portroe, on Saturday, Denis gave one hundred per cent to everything he did, and despite starting off his farming life working with a horse, he always embraced change.

Portroe Parish Priest Fr Ger Jones said Denis was highly respected by everyone and had a great love of reading and acquiring knowledge.

He became an author himself, writing The Garrykennedy Boat Club Story which was launched in 2016. Indeed, he was one of the main driving forces behind the development of the club's amenity in the early 1970s and its expansion in 2009.

Of his book Fr Jones stated: “That was a symbol of his contribution in so many different areas to the history of this parish and aspects of the life of this parish.

“He loved this place and this part of the world. He was a proud Port' man, and a proud Tipp man.

“He was never happier than when he was working on the farm or when fishing on the lake. He loved this beautiful part of the world and realised how lucky he was to spend his life here.”

Many listening in on the Mass online, attended by family only due to Covid restrictions, could identify with what Fr Jones had to say when he described Denis as a great family man and a great neighbour.

“He was great in company, somebody who was always fascinating to talk to. He was so knowledgeable about hurling, about history about politics, about faith and a thousand other topics as well.

“He was a true gentleman, welcoming, kind - and witty at the same time - and he loved people and being in their company. It is a fact that he was loved by, and beloved by, so many people in this parish and further afield.”

Denis was predeceased by his wife Eileen, a teacher in Youghalarra, whose untimely death took place in 1983, leaving him with three young children to raise - a job he did admirably. As Fr Jones said, his family meant everything to him.

Even though Eileen died 38 years ago his love for her never diminished and he was laid to rest beside her in Castletown Cemetery - appropriately on Valentine's Day on Sunday last.

Among those surviving Denis are his adult children, James, Perry (Maloney) and Denise, daughter-in-law Mary and son-in-law Brian, seven grandchildren and his brother Jack.