Widespread regret and sadness has been occasioned by the death of Patrick Lawlor, late of Cathal Brugha Street, Waterford. The highly respected and popular 71-year-old had been ill just a matter of days before he passed away at Waterford Regional Hospital on September 23. A native of Tinlough, Kilmacow, Patrick was a keen sportsman and like his fellow county men, he had a particular interest in hurling and in his youth, he played at full-back on the Kilmacow team who won the All-Ireland club championship in 1956. Though domiciled in Waterford city for the greater part of his life he was ad ardent supporter of his native KIlkenny, in terms of hurling at least. His sporting interests did not, however, stop with the Gaelic codes and as an employee of the national Board and Paper Mills until the factory closed in 1978, he was involved in various sports from soccer to pitch and putt. He was a member of the side which lifted the national inner-factory league title back in 1966 and for a number of years, also he was the secretary of the National Board and Paper Mills pitch and putt club. Other sporting interests included horse-racing, though those closest to him speculated that his visits to bookmaker's offices were more for a 'chat' on the world and national affairs of the day than they were for betting. Patrick was a great conversationalist and it was often with a twinkle in his eye that he would pass a comment that would provoke debate on anything from issues of local to international interest. A family man, he devoted his life to his wife Betty, six daughters, grandchildren and more recently, his great grandchild Keira. Through his children and most of his grandchildren who were all irish dancers he had a deep interest in music and culture, which he retained up to the time of his untimely death. Patrick also had an aptitude for interior design and he was particularly gifted with his hands as was evidenced by the carpentry work, which he regularly undertook for members f his family. His remains were removed from his home to Ballybricken Church ad in the presence of a huge concourse of mourners and sympathisers were received and blessed by Very Rev. William Ryan,PP. During the Requiem Mass celebrated by Canon Frank Hopkins, hymns were sung by Caroline Reid O'Brien and the organist was Mai McGrath. The first and second readers were by Patrick's daughters Patrice and Olivia. The Prayers of the Faithful were by his granddaughters, Saoirse and Danielle McAreavey, Rachel-Beth Powders and his grandson, Keith Powders. Gifts of a hurley, sliothar, a GAA jersey- half in the black and amber and half in blue and white, tools, a piece of lavender, a photograph and key rings were brought to the altar by grandchildren Ashleigh Pamela, Tara, Conor, Amelia and Luka. The bread and wine was presented by his daughter Geraldine and granddaughter Pamela. Following the mass, Patrick's remains were interred in St Senan's cemetery, Kilmacow. The pallbearers were Kevin Powderes, Daniel Pavlovic, Danny McAreavey, Aodhan McAreavey, Philip Lawlor, Keith Powders, Aaron Powders and Damien Roeder. At the grave-yard, the poem 'Footprints' was recited by his grandchildren Pamela and rachel-Beth. Patrick is survived by his heartbroken wife, Betty, his daughters, Geraldine, Kent, Claire, Hillview, Gabrielle Butler Court, Georgina, Greenfields, Old Tramore Road, Olivia, London, Patrice, Greedier, grandchildren, Keith, Aaron and Rachel-Beth Powders. Danielle, Aodhan and Saoirse McAreavey, Damien Roeder, Roisin and Tara Lawlor, Pamela Uddin, Conor Murphy, Ashleigh, Amelia and Luka Lawlor and his great granddaughter Keira Powders. He is also survived by his brother Dick, London, Francis, US, and his cousins M`ary Murphy and Peggy Holden, Grannagh, Sr. Ella Murphy, Our Lady Of Mercy Sisters, Kanturk, Co.Cork, to whom deepest sympathy is extended. Waterford News and Star, 31/10/08 Tweet

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