The late Patrick Gardiner Bagenalstown lost one of its native sons when Patrick Gardiner, 23 St Brigid's Crescent, died on March 2, 2006, in Bethany House, Carlow, where he had been resident since October 2005. He was 85 years of age. Pat was born in New Road, Bagenalstown (beside the former Keenan Brothers office block off Kilcarrig Street). He was the second eldest in a family of ten children born to Patrick and Mary Gardiner and the last remaining member of his family. When construction was completed on the first housing estate in the town, St Brigid's Crescent, the family moved to No.23 and were the first occupants to move to the new housing development. Pat lived with his late brother, Frank, who was a long-time employee in Bagenalstown District Hospital (now St Laserian's House). On leaving school, Pat joined the Army and was assigned to the Medical Corps based in Kilkenny. While there he studied first aid and nursing skills and was awarded several diploma's. When his time in the army was over he worked in a variety of jobs during his life, Kinsella's Gas Works, Bachelors Walk; on the buildings of the houses in Paric Mhuire; Michael Jones; the Post Office; the Bank of Ireland, Kilree Street. His last job was in Tanco Engineering from where he retired in the early '70s to care for his father who was ill. Pat took a keen interest in community activities and when Erin's Own Hurling Club was founded he joined and was a committed member for many years. He was involved in looking after the welfare of the young players. He was an expert on local history and loved to pass on his knowledge of times past. He was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and received a gold pin from the Irish Blood Transfusion Board for giving blood over the years. He was a member of the Parish Council and also helped with the collections at Mass. Pat was a man of deeply held principles. He had a cheerful and kind word for everyone and was particularly concerned for people who were sick. He attended daily Mass and loved to spend time in the parish church when he was in good health. He was very attached to his nieces and nephews and their families and he was a very special person in their lives. Members of Erin's Own Hurling Club formed a Guard of Honour at his removal to St Andrew's Parish Church, where he was received by Fr Pierce Murphy PP. His funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Declan Foley, assisted by Fr Tom Bambrick and he was laid to rest in the Cemetery of the Assumption. Pat is deeply mourned by his nieces Mrs Mary O'Sullivan (Killarney), Mrs Vina Fogarty (Kill, Co. Kildare), Mrs Kath Gladney (St Brigid's Crescent), Ms Martina Gardiner (St Brigid's Crescent), Mrs Catherine Hogan (Leighlinebridge), Mrs Ciara Hickey (Fenagh), Ms Judith Hughes(Paric Mhuire), nephew Paddy (Bagenalstown); brother-in-law Peter Hughes (Paric Mhuire); nephew Paddy Gardiner (Eastwood); grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great grand-nieces and great grand-nephews. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist 14 April 2006 Tweet

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