Byrne, Joseph (Sonny)
April 09, 2013
Sudden passing of Joseph (Sonny) Byrne caused shockwaves through community of Killeshin
THE sudden death of Mr Joseph (Sonny) Byrne on Monday 25 March at his residence, 'Nampara', Killeshin Road, Carlow, came as a tremendous shock to his family, neighbours, friends and to the community of Killeshin, where Sonny was such a central and popular figure.
Sonny enjoyed robust good health all his life. He had undergone hip replacement procedures in recent years but had no serious health issues in his life. Indeed, the day before his sudden passing Sonny had been out to lunch with his wife Mary and her sister-in-law Mary O'Neill and was in his usual good form.
Consequently, news of his sudden passing sent shockwaves throughout the local community.
Aged 70, Sonny will be remembered as a wonderful family man, for his work in the building trade, as a GAA referee and for his deep involvement for anything that was for the benefit of Killeshin.
He worked for some 20 years as a steel slitter in The Cold Rolling Mills, affectionately known as 'The Blade Factory', on Killeshin Road, Graiguecullen. When the factory closed, Sonny, along with his great friend Jack Whelan of Crossneen, a work colleagues in the Cold Rolling Mills, branched out into the building trade.
They undertook any work that was going in the general Carlow-Graiguecullen- Killeshin area in the building of back kitchens, extensions, painting and wallpapering. Sonny and Jack were soulmates and their great friendship and working relationship continued up to the time of Jack's passing in July 2011 when he was in his early 80s.
Sonny was a native of Derrymoyle and always be associated with Killeshin GFC, serving as club secretary for some 25 years. He served as a selector to many Killeshin teams down the years and was a Laois county selector at one stage.
A noted Laois GAA referee, the highlight of Sonny's refereeing career came in 1982 when he was the proud recipient of an AIB All-Star Referee Award - in that same year he took charge of the Laois senior football championship final, the first Killeshin clubman to do so.
As a Laois man, he followed the fortunes of Laois GAA county teams in all grades throughout his life.
Sonny was also a lifelong, committed member of the Holy Cross Church Sodality in Killeshin. Members of the Sodality attended the funeral wearing the organisation's distinctive sash.
Sonny was married to the former Mary O'Neill from Browneshill, Carlow. Mary recalled that when they married in St Joseph's Church, Tinryland on 15 September 15 1969, there was a strong GAA influence on the date for the marriage ceremony. It came between the two All-Ireland finals and at a time when Killeshin were in a Laois county final. So it was a matter of picking a date for the wedding which did not cut across Sonny's GAA commitments!
Fr Tom Little, PP, Askea-Bennekerry-Tinryland, speaking at the funeral Mass, drew a sporting analogy with Sonny's life when commenting on his fairness as the man in the middle for football games.
He remarked: "Fairness was the hallmark of Sonny's personality."
Love of family came across very strongly in terms of the tributes to Sonny since his sudden passing. Pat Byrne, Sonny's nephew, in an emotional tribute at the end of Mass, spoke of the lovely home he and Mary shared, the great love he had for his wife, his three children, seven grandchildren, brother Paschal and sister Joan.
He summarised Sonny Byrne's life thus: "He was a kind, generous, friendly, family man."
Sonny was waked at home before removal on Tuesday 26 March to the Church of the Holy Family, Askea, where they were received by Fr Sean Kelly, Stradbally, former parish priest of Graiguecullen-Killeshin and long-time friend of Sonny's.
Members of Killeshin GFC formed a guard of honour at the removal of his remains.
Sonny's daughter Valerie Byrne carried the Paschal Candle as her father's remains were brought into the church. His other , daughter Antoinette Byrne did the reading on the night.
Symbols of Sonny's life brought to the altar at the start of his funeral Mass on Wednesday by three of his grandchildren were: a plaque marking his contribution to the GAA and the Killeshin community brought up by Daniel Byrne; a nature CD
reflecting his love of the environment, presented by Catherine Byrne; and a bowl of fruit demonstrating his sharing nature - he would often peel the fruit for his grandchildren - brought up by Chloe Byrne.
The Readings at Mass were by Sonny's niece Deirdre McGovern and nephew-in-law Brendan O'Brien. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nieces Esther Fleming and Yvonne Cranny and son-in-law Damian Byrne.
The Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by Sonny's sister-in-law Mary O'Neill and daughter-in-law Louise Byrne.
Fr Little was assisted at the Mass by Fr Brendan Howard, PP, Ballon-Rathoe, a family friend.
The singing at Mass was by the Graiguecullen Men's Choir.
After Mass, Sonny was laid to rest in Killeshin cemetery, with Fr Little, reciting the final prayers at the graveside, and Pat Byrne on bagpipes leading the cortege.
At the graveside, Brendan Fitzpatrick, Killeshin, paid a fitting tribute to Sonny's memory.
Sonny is mourned by his wife Mary, daughters Antoinette Byrne (Ballon) and Valerie Byrne (Graiguecullen), son Michael (Palatine, Carlow), brother Paschal (Pollerton Road, Carlow), sister Joan Byrne (Tomard, Milford), grandchildren Daniel, Chloe, Catherine, Abbie, Alanna, Tiernan and Ben, by nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours, GAA colleagues and many friends.
Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist.
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