Diggin, Thomas P
June 16, 2011Tom Diggin, who passed away on May 28th at the age of 92 was the eldest of a family of seven born to Michael and Mary Jane Pierse Diggin of Ballincolgher, Lixnaw. Thomas P was born on March 14th, 1919, and was brought up in a family that operated a farm and general store.
He was educated at Ballinclogher and CBS Edward Street, Tralee, primary schools and graduated to The Green in Tralee. From an early age, his skills as a hurler were apparent at Abbeydorney and in 1938 he was the captain of the Kerry minor team that reached the Munster final with a 3-3 to 2-4 win over Waterford.Cork won that final, though and went on to All-Ireland glory that year.
By this time, he was three years into his apprenticeship with Latchford's in Tralee and by 1943, he had worked in every department at the merchant's business. He was, however, already looking further afield and had begun selling general insurance as well.
1943 was a significant point in his life he married Kitty Dowd of Ballysheen, Abbeydorney on February 23rd and also acquired 119 Rock Street, Tralee, where he established his hardware, seeds, fuel and animal feedstuff store. "I commenced with nothing only enthusiasm," he sometimes remarked.
He was appointed the Kerry agent for a number of equipment manufacturers and in 1945, branched out again in obtaining an auctioneer's licence. His farming background continued to be useful and on December 13th 1955 he opened the first livestock mart in the county. Only cattle tested for tuberculosis were sold here.
1960 was another land mark year for Thomas and his family. Kingdom Co-Op Livestock Mart opened up but as the insurance business had now grown significantly, he closed his mart and also moved out of the hardware business. He also took on the first agency with the Educational Building Society in the county.
He was one of those at the heart of the establishment of the industrial show in Tralee in 1948 and was the last surviving member of the committee. Tom attended the launch of the Kingdom County Fair in May again this year.
In 1980 he retired and sold both the business and premises. He and Kitty settled in Parkboy, overlooking Tralee Bay, and they spent 26 years in peaceful retirement there until, sadly Kitty died in 2006 after 63 years together.
"She was a source of help, inspiration and encouragement to me to all times and I owe her much," he wrote.
While he loved Tralee, he never lost sight of his origins and wrote about Abbeydorney and his family history.
Tom experienced failing health two years ago and moved to Ocean View Nursing Home in Camp where he received wonderful care. Just a few days before his death he said, "I'm at home now and at peace and will soon be with Kitty".
He is survived by his eight children, Helen, Michael, Patricia, Kathleen, Thomas, Bernard, Linda and Oonagh, 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sisters Mary Daly (Listowel) and Teresa Diggin (Ballinclogher), brother Michael (Dessy, New York), nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
He will be missed by those who loved him best and they are many.
Month's Mind Mass for Thomas Diggin will be held on Saturday, June 25th, at 7.30pm in the Dominican Church, Tralee.
Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye
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