O'Donoghue, Alan
April 06, 2011
The sudden death of Alan O'Donoghue took place at his home on Friday March 18 last, Aged 63, Alan lived all his life in Caherslee, Tralee. The eldest son of Tim and May (nee Power),his early years were spent in 'Mount Carmel', Caherslee with his sister Philomena and brothers John and Jaime.
Caherslee with his sister Philomena and brothers John and Jaime.
Caherslee was a much quieter place then and Alan had many happy youthful yeats there.
Educated in Balloonagh and CBS, Edward Street, his second level school was CBS The Green. He graduated from UCC in 1970 with a B.A HDip. and immediately returned to his Alma Mater as a secondary teacher.
Known for his brilliant maths lessons, he was highly respected colleague and a strict but fair teacher. Alan retired from The Green in 2006 after 36 years teaching.
Alan married Ann in 1976 and they lived in Ardcarrig, Caherslee. They were blessed with three great sons, Mark, Brian and Kieran.
The greatest loss in his life was the very sad death of Brian at the early age of eight. It was a grief that he and his family found very difficult to come to terms with as can be appreciated by everybody.
Sport played a major part in Alan's life. Basketball, snooker and GAA came easy to him. Football was centred around his beloved Austin Stacks club. Having played all grades from minor, senior and junior, he discovered his forte was in administration.
He served as club secretary for the years 1976-77 and 1979-80, assistant secretary in 1983 and secretary again for 1986 through to 1989. He was treasurer for 1984 and 1985 and finally club chairman in 1990.
His commitment did not finish there as he represented the club at County Board level and various committees. Kerry ladies football PRO was also one of his roles.
He will be known to one and all for his work on the turnstiles at all the top grounds in Kerry and Munster. In the past few years, Alan appreciated the many visits and phone calls from neighbours and friends.
Alan also felt the loss of his brother Jaime, in 2004 and his sister Philomena, in March of last year.
On the altar for Alan's Requiem Mass, Fr. Patsy Lynch was assisted by four priests who were pupils of Alan. The very large attendance of the removal and mass included guards of honour from the Austin Stacks Club and both teachers and students from CBS The Green.
The turnout was a mark of respect that Alan would have been very proud and appreciative of. Alan is survived by his sons Mark and Kieran, their mother Ann, his brother John, uncle, aunt, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
6th April 2011
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