Mr Paddy Naughton A STRONG voice was suddenly stilled with the death of Paddy Naughton at his home on Galway Road, Tuam, on July 20. Paddy, who been expecting a visit from relatives, was taken ill unexpectedly, and his passing at such an early age caused widespread sadness, not only to his brothers and sisters but to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Paddy, also known particularly on the Galway Road as Pat, was born on October 31, 1942 on the ground where he lived all his life. He was born in the thatched house occupied by his late parents, Paddy and Delia, who came from long-established local families, and were very proud of their roots. The thatched house was a centre for visiting in the area and its replacement, built behind the old homestead, always had a welcome on the mat. Pat's life was full and happy. After he left school in the CBS, he went to work at Tom Mullaney's hardware Shop at the Square, where he became very popular with his fellow workers and customers. Later he worked at Hanley Brothers Engineering in Claregalway, and at Tuam Furniture Stores on Shop Street. In his latter years he suffered from a hip ailment, but he never allowed his pain to cloud his cheerful nature or to make him anything less than a courteous and welcoming presence. He was a great supporter of all sports, but his great love was Gaelic football, personified in Tuam Stars and the Galway team. He was a regular at the Stars games, and had the privilege of attending all the great games of the Three-in-a-row years in the middle 1960s. He continued to support the county team down the years until the breakthrough came again in 1998 and 2000. You could always depend on seeing the maroon and white flag flying outside his house. But sport was not his only interest. He was a lifelong member of the Pioneer TAA, and the joy of singing always had a special place in his life. He joined the Cathedral Choir in the early 1950s and remained a dedicated member for the rest of his life, being chairman at the time of his death. One of the fondest memories was that of singing with the choir at the mass for the Pope's visit to Knock in 1979. He joined the Marian Choir Society in 1977 and played a prominent role in many of their shows during the 1980s. Later he moved to the front of house staff, where he was a welcoming figure to the society's patrons. He sang in more private moments too. He was a popular choice to sing at the weddings of his nieces and nephews and of neighbours from Galway Road, and took a special pride singing at the weddings of his niece and nephew in Boston in 1992 and 1996. He probably sang in the garden; certainly he loved the outdoors, growing his own vegetables, tending his lawn and always saving his own turf. He was kind and caring person, always concerned for the good of others. Always in good form, he loved to tell a good clean joke and bring laughter to those in his company. A firm and trusted friend, he was loyal to his brothers and sisters, and took a positive interest in the activities of his many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was a man who, if you met him in the morning, he would say something that made you feel good all day. His passing at a relatively young age leaves a void that for his brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours and many friends in town and country will never be filled. There was a very large attendance at the removal of the remains from Glynn's Funeral Home to the Cathedral on the Friday, and again on Saturday for the mass and burial at Tuam Cemetery. The cathedral choir formed a guard of honour on both days, and sang as the remains were received at the Cathedral, at the Requiem Mass and at the burial. Fr. Stephen Farragher Adm. received the remains, and the chief celebrant at the Mass was Pat's nephew Fr. Denis Carney Adm Westport, Archbishop Michael Neary presiding. Other priests who assisted were Fr. Pat Donnellan PP Islandeady, Fr. Willie Spicer,Westport, and Fr. Des Fahy, Tuam. Pat is survived by his brothers Mickey, Manchester, Tony, Westport, sisters Maura Carney, Castlebar, Bridie O'Connell, Manchester, Peggy Kiely, Dublin, Nancy Melia, Marley, Tuam, aunt Nora Mannion, Galway Road, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, other relatives and a large circle of friends at home and abroad. Sadly Pat's brother Frank and his son John passed away in Boston recently. Father and son died within a few weeks of each other, John on July 29 and his father Frank on September 25. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad. Courtesy of the Tuam Herald, October, 2004. Tweet

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