Collins, Laurence 'Lal'
June 05, 2013Laurence 'Lal' Collins of The Village Inn, Kilcummin, Killarney and formerly of Racecourse Road, Tralee, passed away on Monday, May 6. 'Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann' is the only way of describing the passing of Lal, as he was a truly unique man.
Christened Laurence, but known to one and all as Lal, he hailed from Racecourse Road, Tralee, son of Dan and Kitty Collins (nee Maybury) and was one of seven children. Lal attended the CBS in Tralee where his father was vice-principal, but academia was not for Lal and he left school at the tender age of 16.
In his youth he was an accomplished sportsman and won an All-Ireland Colleges medal for basketball with the CBS. His allegiance in GAA was with the Austin Stacks hurling and football with whom he won u-16 hurling and football championship medals and a minor hurling medal in 1967.
After a stint of working in Galway in the GPO, Lal, like so many others of his generation emigrated to London due to limited opportunities in Ireland. It was there where he met his wife Marian (nee Moriarty) and many of his lifelong friends.
There he began his career as a commodity broker and excelled quickly up the ladder. As a result of this he was afforded the opportunity to live and work in America, first in Kentucky and then New York where he
became Vice-President Trans-World Metals. Throughout his years there, he travelled the world and made many friends along the way.
In May of 1983, Lal and Marian married in Fossa and shortly afterwards started a family. However, home was never far from Lal's mind and in 1997 he and his family returned to Ireland. In September, 1999, they
bought The Village Inn in Kilcummin and this has been there home for the last 14 years. They ran a very successful business and Lal became involved in many parish activities.
He was a true renaissance man with a keen interest in football, soccer, horse racing, golf and coursing. He was a truly generous man and sponsored many of these activities. Coursing was his true passion, the highlight of this being when his dog 'Kilcummin Lady' qualified for The Oaks in Ennis.
His favourite watering hole was The Speakeasy in Killarney and although he often put on a bet in Paddy Powers it was a great disappointment to him the day he didn't back our new Pope, having got the tip at 50 to I! Lal filled his days spending time with his family, working in the bar, doing the crossword in The Star, attending matches and having a G'n'T with his friends. No one can deny that Lal lived life to the full.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in June, 2012 and although undergoing rigorous treatment lost the battle on May 6 last. Throughout his illness he had a positive attitude and took it all in his stride. He drew great strength from his customers, friends, children and grand-daughter Isabelle throughout this time.
His family would like to thank Dr Donal Coffey and his staff and all the staff in CUH and Kerry General Hospital. Also their own customers, neighbours and friends for the care and support they offered to both him and his family throughout his illness. Lal passed away peacefully in hospitial with his family by his side but not before sharing his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife Marian days before he passed away. It was a true reflection of Lal's character that guards of honour were drawn from Mastergeeha Soccer Club, Kilcummin GAA, Austin Stacks GAA, The Village Inn Golf Society and the Gun Club at his funeral.
Lal reposed at his home in The Village Inn, Kilcummin for rosary and removal. His remains were shouldered from the bar to the church by customers and friends for Requiem Mass on Thursday, May 9, following which burial took place in Aghadoe Cemetery. Lal was pre-deceased by his brother John and sister Eillsh.
He is sadly missed by his wife Marian, son Michael, daughter Sinead, granddaughter Isabelle, his brothers Donal, George and Bernard and sister Doris.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
June 5th 2013 Tweet
