The Late Richard Bolger The sudden death of Carlow taxi driver Richard Bolger on Barrack St recently has stunned the Carlow community where he was held in high regard. Richard (52) was from Ballybit in Rathvilly and had been socialising in Carpenter's pub in Carlow on the night of his death. It was on the journey home that he passed away and his devasted family have spoken of the terrible loss of a wonderful father and a kind and caring person. Born in 1956 in Ballybit, Richard was the youngest of four children born to Tony and Sheila Bolger. He had two brothers, Patrick who predeceased him and Tom, whole he had one sister, Ann Callinan from Ballyfoyle in Kilkenny. Richard grew up in a farming background and attended Tobinstown National School, Rathvilly NS and Christian Brother's secondary school in Tullow. After leaving school, Richard joined the Irish Navy where he spent several happy years. Following that, he owned several businesses and worked in a number of jobs over the years but he will be best remembered for his cleaning and taxi business. He worked in several taxi offices as an owner-driver, including Carlow Cabs and A1 Cabs. When he wasn't driving people around Carlow and enjoying the job he loved, he enjoyed a rich and varied life. He was a member of the Rathvilly GAA club and played at underage level before becoming a lifelong supporter. He had an interest in many sports including soccer and he managed Slaney Rovers in the 1990's. His family remember a wonderful father who adored his three daughters, Pamela (28), Yvonne (26), and Rachel (23) and he encouraged them to do best and enjoy their lives. His best-known saying was "make the best of it because you don't know how long you have left in this life." They remember a caring person who always helped others. Taxi drivers and members of the Rathvilly GAA formed guards of honour at the funeral after he had reposed at Halligan's Funeral Home. Followed by a funeral in St. Patrick's Church in Rathvilly and burial in the adjoining cemetery. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 1st May 2009 Tweet

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