James (Jimmy) Dunne, Ballinabranna, Carlow who passed away at the Sacred Heart Hospital on New Year's Day, had waged an eight year battle with Alzheimer's and had been a patient at St Clare's unit of the Carlow hospital for the past three years.
Jimmy (86) was a native of Ballyroan, Co. Laois who had lived in Ballinabranna since 1952. At that time he came to work on the farm of Major Lesley Weaver in Milford. He worked there until 1967 when he gained employment with Clogrennane Lime Works, from which he took early retirement in 1989 in order to care for his ailing wife Susan (nee Carter), a native of Ballyroan, who passed away in 1990.
Gardening was the major hobby in Jimmy Dunne's life. He always kept a splendid vegetable and flower garden, which was much admired by people.
Following the death of his wife, Jimmy, along with his good friend Reggie, engaged in gardening jobs for people in the general Carlow area. That work was a labour of love for Jimmy.
A popular man within his own community, Jimmy was a vice-president of Ballinabranna GFC and a man who enjoyed a social drink at the local GAA clubhouse or in Carpenter's of Barrack Street.
His remains reposed at Carpenter's, where prayers were recited by Fr Pat Stanley, a missionary priest who had worked with Jimmy in Clogrennane Lime Works, and who entered the priesthood as a late vocation.
Fr Pierce Murphy, Borris, retired PP, Bagenalstown, received his remains at St Fintans's Church, Ballinabranna on Monday 2 January, when Ballinabranna GFC members formed a guard of honour.
Fr Murphy celebrated the funeral Mass on Tuesday, assisted by Fr Ger Ahern PP, Abbeyleix. Fr Murphy paid tribute to the fine qualities that Jimmy Dunne brought to his long life, mentioning particularly his gardening skills.
Readings during Mass were by Imelda Dunne, granddaughter and Ann Scully, niece. Prayers of the Faithful were read by relatives Padraig Carter, Jacqueline Mulhall, Adrian Dunne and Emily Dunne, daughter-in-law.
The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by grandson Westley Dunne and his wife Nora.
Jimmy was laid to rest with his wife in the adjoining cemetery immediately afterwards, with Fr Murphy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.
Jimmy, who was one of a family of ten, is survived by his son Seamus (Ballinabranna), twin siblings Francie (Ballyroan) and Breda Sutherland (Abbeyleix), daughter-in-law, Emily, grandchildren Imelda and Westley, by nephews, nieces, other relatives, good neighbours and many friends. May he rest in peace.

Courtesy of The Nationalist
24th January 2012 Tweet

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