O'Sullivan, Mikey 'Shine'
January 06, 2010Mickey (Shine) O'Sullivan died peacefully at his home in Kilmackerin, Cahersiveen on Friday November 27 2009 with his loving wife Maureen and his youngest son Aidan by his bedside, having been ill for a period of nine months.
Mikey was born on the November 10, 1943 at home in Kilmackerin, a small village 10 miles from Cahersiveen town. He was the youngest son and had three older sisters and one brother; who are all still alive today.
In 1961 Mikey went to England in search of work which he obtained in a sugar beet factory in Yorkshire. In 1963 he moved into London, where he worked in construction with Murphys Builders.
He married Maureen (who was English born with Irish parents) on January 25, 1969 and remained in England for another two years. After this time he moved back to Ireland and set up home on the Family farm in Kilmackerin with his wife and two children. Three more children completed his family in Ireland.
Mikey was a small farmer who worked hard all his life to provide and care for his family. His motto was that "hard work never hurt anyone' and he encouraged his family constantly to work hard and follow in his footsteps.
Mikey loved the outdoor life and he had a great interest in beagle hunting. Sunday was his favourite day of the week because it was on Sunday that he went beagle hunting with his friends.
He loved socialising, playing cards and having the craic. He loved a pint of "porter" and set dancing. He also loved to chat and would often be seen talking for long periods of time to one of his many neighbours. It was often said that he had the 'gift of the gab".
He followed the GAA and especially loved watching his sons Dennis and Aidan play football, he also was an avid fan of the Kerry football team.
Mickey had a great passion for the bog and he often said while he was in the bog all his cares and troubles faded away. He harvested and sold turf privately around the locality and he took great pride in having good quality turf for sale.
Through selling his turf Mikey became known far and wide and everyone who met him became captivated by his kind hearted and jolly nature.
He loved to see people calling to his home and he had a warm welcome for everyone who came to visit him even when he was sick. He was a great neighbour and friend and this was portrayed in the massive funeral which Mickey had as people showed up in huge numbers to say their final goodbye.
A man with an iron will and a resilient nature which helped his cope with his difficult illness. His other great motto was "fight until the bitter and and never give up".
He portrayed great courage and strength during his illness and fought hard to overcome it but unfortunately it was not meant to be.
The removal of Mikey's remains took place from Fitzgeralds Funeral Home on Sunday November 29 to St. Finian's Church. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday morning, following which interment took place in Dromid cemetery.
The joy and the laughter he bought to his family's lives is replaced by loneliness and emptiness.
Mikey is sadly missed by his loving wife Maureen, sons Mickey, Dennis and Aidan, daughters Noreen and Marryanne, grandchildren, sisters and brother, daughters-in-law and son-in-law, relatives, friends and neighbours.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
January 6th 2010 Tweet
