Jim Kehoe, 131 JKL Avenue, Carlow, who passed away at his home on Wednesday 25 May aged 76, had been employed for most of his working life at The Nationalist newspaper.

A native of Brewery Lane in the centre of Carlow town, Jim was one of a family of five boys and three girls - three brothers survive him.
He worked at Governey's Boot Factory in Carlow where he met his wife, the former Kathleen Coffey from Graiguecullen and they married in St Clare's Church, Graiguecullen on 6 August 1956.

Jim and Kathleen celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in the summer of 2006 with a party in Alicante, Spain, where their youngest son Paddy resides.
Jim started his working life in The Nationalist as a tea boy and fan helper. He went on to work in the newspaper's bindery section, where he became foreman. Jim was also one of a team of delivery van drivers.
Jim was noted for being conscientious and diligent in his work at all times, with great loyalty to the newspaper. He, along with 11 work colleagues, received long-service presentations in 1980.

Although he never played sport, Jim was a lifelong follower of The O'Hanrahans - for a number of years he worked beside his great friend, the late 'Jimma' Rea, the outstanding Blues, Carlow and Leinster footballer of the 1940s.
Jim was very pleased when the Blues emerged from the shadows in 1999 to reclaim the Carlow SFC after a lapse of 37 years - going on to complete a three-in-a-row of domestic championship successes, highlighted by the winning of the Leinster Club SFC crown in 2000. He was also an avid Manchester United soccer supporter.

Jim's favourite hobby was salmon fishing and he enjoyed nothing better than heading off to the Barrow, Slaney or Moy rivers to indulge his passion. When he travelled to the west, Jim used Foxford as his base. And Jim's first salmon of the season always went to Dr John Conway, his GP, who provided wonderful medical care for him over the years and was a good friend as well as family doctor.

A dedicated family man as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, this aspect of his life was reflected in the many family photographs which decorate the Kehoe family home. Always a dapper dresser, Jim Kehoe cut a distinctive figure with the small Shandon hat he liked to wear, complete with green feather.

Throughout his life, the Kehoe family car was Jim's pride and joy. On a weekly basis, the car was washed, polished and shined . His 2000 Toyota Corolla stands as a testimony to Jim's care of the vehicle.
Jim, who suffered from ill health throughout his life, was diagnosed with terminal cancer a mere two weeks before his passing. He was hospitalised in St Luke's, Kilkenny but returned home to JFK for his final days.

He reposed at his home throughout Thursday of last week before the remains were removed on Friday morning to the Church of the Holy Family, Askea, where Jim had for many years worshiped and played his part in parish life by being a basket collector at weekend Masses.
Fr Tom Little, PP, Askea-Bennekerry noted that Jim had 'trained in' brother Paddy, who has now taken over that church duty.
The symbols of Jim's life brought to the altar were his rosary beads, a copy of The Nationalist and his fishing reel.
Readings at Mass were by Jim's grandnieces Maria Nolan and Frances O'Reilly, while grandchildren James Kehoe and Catherina Darcy brought up the offertory gifts.

He was laid to rest in St Mary's Cemetery, with Fr Little reciting the final prayers at the graveside.

Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Michael (Dereen Heights) and Paddy (Alicante, Spain), brothers Paddy (130, JKL Avenue), Michael (Askea Lawns) and Thomas (Millennium Court), grandchildren James and Catherina, great-grandchildren Shauna, Calum, Sophie, Dylan, Amy and Abby, daughter-in-law Phil, sisters-in-law Marie, Betty, Margaret and Philomena, by nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours, friends and former work colleagues in The Nationalist.

- Courtesy of Carlow Nationalist 31st May 2011 Tweet

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