Many tributes have been paid to veteran Corofin community activist Sonny Curley, Rusheens, who passed away last week and who was laid to rest in Cummer cemetery on Sunday. Massive crowds attended the removal of his remains on Saturday evening and again at the concelebrate Mass and burial on Sunday. Corofin Church was packed to capacity with many people unable to gain entry and the large numbers attending on both days were testament to the popularity of this unassuming man who was loved by all who knew him. Sonny, who was in his 92nd year, was one of the pioneers of rural transport in North Galway. His mini bus service in the 60s and 70s was much sought after by shoppers, school children, sports teams and even showbands. At a time when Ireland had hundreds of showbands many of the smaller ones who could not afford to buy their own bus would hire Sonny to drive them to gigs all over the country. This affable man, who was a brilliant conversationalist, was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association since the early 1930's and he had received the organisation's highest honour, the Fr Cullen medal. He was also vice-president of Corofin GAA Club and his coffin was draped in the club colours as it was taken from the Church while the GAA, the Pioneers and other organisations formed a guard of honour outside. Sonny is also fondly remembered for his work with the Galway Rose event during the halcyon days of the local heats for the Rose of Tralee finals and he was also a stalwart voluntary worker at Corofin carnivals and jamborees during the 60s and 70s. There was laughter and tears during moving eulogies by his grandaughter Martina Costello on behalf of the family and Richard Broderick representing the Pioneer Association. Three of Sonny's grandchildren, David, Paul and Sandra Curley, who are award-winning musicians, played a number of Traditional tunes after the funeral Mass on the flute, concertina and guitar. The choir and solo singers also performed Sonny's favourite hymns. Sonny was born the youngest of 14 in the parish of Killererin but the family moved to Rusheens when he was only six. He is survived by his wife Maureen, (nee Canney) daughters Mary and Breda, sons Pat, Mark, Kevin and Ger (Sam), 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The chief celebrant at the Mass was Canon Oliver Hughes PP who said memories of Sonny's good deeds for the community will live on and he described him as a real "Ard Ri" of Corofin. At Monday's meeting fo Galway Co Council Mayor Sean Canney and council members also paid tributes to the voluntary work carried out by Sonny Curley for many organisations over the years. Courtesy of the Tuam Herald 29 May 2008 Tweet

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