O'Connor, Joe
May 15, 2013The late Joe O'Connor
The sad news of the passing of the late Joe O'Connor R.I.P. of Clounamon was received with great regret on Sunday morning last May 12.
Joe Con as he was more affectionately known was a very popular and highly respected member of the community whose kindness and generous nature was always to the forefront in all his dealings with young and old.
As a young and energetic man he began his working career at the O'Sullivan's Family Hardware business where he worked for a number of years.
But Joe had a marvellous affection for the outdoor life and shortly afterwards swapped his indoor work for the outdoor work in which he worked hard in an all-round outdoor environment whether it be in the garden, bog, meadow or on the shoreline of the Estuary which was quite close to his home or helping out neighbours. Joe was never found wanting.
He particularly loved going to the bog where he spent many a hard day, but that did not turn him away from the challenges of cutting, saving and drawing home the turf, a custom he grew up with from childhood years.
But it was not all work for Joe as he enjoyed life socially as well, and as a young man he met and married the love of his life Lisha Leahy a native of Lisselton, and they settled in Clounamon where they lived a happy life rearing a family of three girls and three boys during hard times when unemployment was rampant in the early 60's.
They enjoyed life as a family, and two years ago celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Joe was also actively involved in the F.C.A. and served in Listowel with many local men at the time, names that would include Dave Nelligan, Michael "Drops" Enright, Michael "Francis" Stack, to mention a few.
These men also encouraged Joe to play a vital part in the local G.A.A. scene and shortly afterwards Joe proved to be a vital member of the Carrig team who successfully captured the Parish League against Lenamore in the late 60's.
His love of football saw him enjoy Kerry's success down the years as well as the local club success of the Bally. A man to enjoy a sociable drink, Joe liked nothing better than meeting old and new friends in the local hostelries and talk of times past and present.
Family meant everything to this kind-hearted man and he was proud of each and every one of the family from the oldest to the youngest and it is to those family members namely his wife Lisha, daughters Maud, Betty and Kathleen, sons Mossie, Nelly and Paudie, sisters Annie, Bridie and Kathleen, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brother-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family relatives and a wide circle of neighbours and friends, we extend our deepest sympathies.
Joe's remains reposed in the family home on Sunday evening before reposing at Lynch's Funeral home with removal to St. Michael's Church, Ballylongford on Monday evening at 8pm. Requiem Mass was on Tuesday at 11.30am with Interment afterwards at Ahavallin Cemetery Rusheen. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
Courtesy of The Kerryman. Tweet
