Gilligan, William
October 08, 2010Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon
Death removed from our midst one of our town's most prominent citizens with the passing of Billy which sad event occurred peacefully at St. Patricks Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon on Tuesday September 28th. Born in Mullingar in 1932 the youngest of five children, all of whom have predeceased him, his brother Paddy and Jackie and sisters Rosie and Rita. He started work in the post office at the tender age of 16 years. His first posting was in Athlone in 1948, his second final posting was in Athlone in 1948, his second final posting was to Carrick-on-Shannon where he was to serve for nearly forty years before retiring in 1988. While here he met the love of his life Helen Moore from Mohill. They Married in 1959 and had four daughters Geraldine and twins Sinead and Brenda and finally Michelle. They have eight grand-children of whom they have always been proud: Lisa, Aishling, Lorraine, David, Saoirse, Dylan, Troy and Cadhla.
Together with his work in the post office Billy was a contributor of notes to many of the local papers, the Leitrim observer, Roscommon Herald, Longford Leader and Westmeath Examiner. All carried articles submitted by him on many occasions. It would be true to say Billy was part of everything that was good for our town over the years. A member of the Breffni players for forty-five years. He was their treasurer for over twenty years. A member of St. Mary's GAA club for many years. He won many junior league and championship medals with them. He wrote a GAA novelty act that won the county final and Connacht final in 1980 and took them to the All-Ireland final. He took part in GAA and pioneer association quiz competitions on many occasions. He was on the festival of the Shannon committee for years involved in local and national community games for several years, P.R.O for Summerhill Resident Association, also in Leitrim's people Associations in Galway, Cork and Dublin. He was M.C for Senior Citizens Christmas parties for decades, also a member of St. Mary's Hall Committee, the Historical Soceity. He loved music, Irish, meeting people and history, both local and otherwise.
Billy was a member of St. Mary's Church Choir for over fifty years and in 2006 he received the Diocesan Service Medal from Bishop Colm O'Reilly for his loyal dedication to it. He was also a member of the Millennium Choir and travelled to New York, Rome, Prague, Vienna and Budapest with them.
A great and dedicated husband and father, his family were always his first concern. If the opportunity arose, he was always prepared to take them on trips both national and foreign, keeping them occupied playing practical jokes and telling them yarns. One daughter described him thus 'a very generous fun loving witty spontaneous intelligent and warm-hearted man'. Need I say more? His removal took place from St. Patrick's Hospital Chapel to St. Josephs Church, Leitrim at 7 o'clock on Thursday evening September 30th. Following Mass at 12 o'clock on Friday, his funeral proceeded back to Carrick where he was laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery. May he rest in Peace and may the good lord comfort and console those left to grieve. RIP.
Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer 8/10/10 Tweet
Most Read Stories
