Desmond Mitchell, 39 Mount Clare Court, Graiguecullen, passed away on Tuesday 7 July in the loving care of the staff in the District Hospital in Carlow. Originally from Greystones in Co. Wicklow, Des was the eldest of a large family of 13, six brothers and six sisters, all still alive. He would laugh at the fact of having 11 old age pensioners in the family. They are a close, well-known and respected family in Greystones. He met the love of his life, Peggy Walsh from Quinagh in Carlow, and they married and settled in Greystones in 1966. They spent 40 wonderful years in Greystones and raised three children - twins Louise and Geraldine and Margaret their youngest. Des worked for Chrysler in Dublin for 28 years and after being made redundant he went on to work as caretaker in St Killian's Hall in Greystones, where people fondly remember his smile and good humour towards everyone he came in contact with. Sport was a big part of Des's life. He was a member of the Rowing Club in Greystones and was cox man on the skip boat that won all trophies on the east coast. He was heavily involved in the soccer club in Greystones as well and they won the treble one year - the Wicklow League, Wicklow Cup and Top 4 Cup. He was also a member of the team that made it to the final of the Saxone Cup with 300 teams taking part. Des was a flier on the field and earned the nickname 'Scarce' with his trickery. Golf was another love where he was a member of the Artisans Golf Club playing off a handicap of 11. He was big into community work and founded both the Thrift Club and 30s Club in Greystones where many a love story began. There were very few sports that Des was not interested in, and he loved going to the races. But it was the GAA which was the number one sport for Des and at his funeral, Ray Barry, former chairman of the Eire Og Club in Greystones, and a good friend of his, spoke fondly of how he had played such a big part in the club for 60 years. Des played many roles in the club, as a player, coach, manager, treasurer, secretary, chairman and finally as president for the past 25 years - all positions he held with great pride. His infectious enthusiasm and love of the game and Eire Og driving the club forward as only he could. He was heavily involved in the purchase of the field that Eire Og now play on. Ray described Des as a bustling half forward on the 1956 championship winning team - a great day for Des and the club - in the days lads togged out under the ditch. Des moved to Carlow in 2006, much to the joy of his family. He was delighted to be living so close to his daughters and their families, especially the pride and joy of Des's life - his six grandchildren. He was a big part of their lives, always at everything they were involved in, and when he couldn't go to a football or a basketball game he was waiting by the phone for the results of whatever it was his grandchildren were playing or doing. Due to ill health, Des only got to spend a short while in Carlow, but made many friends with his outgoing personality and friendly ways. He was a gentleman who was loved by all who knew him. Everyone had a different story to tell. Des loved to sing, and would strike up a song almost anywhere - and at any time. At a wedding in the not too distant past he started singing The Boys From the County Armagh as people were eating their meal. The entire place joined in, and it set the tone for a great day. At the graveside on Friday his granddaughter Hannah played that very song on the flute, and even those who can't sing tried to sing along. His removal took place from his adopted home in Mount Clare, Graiguecullen, last Friday 10 July, after prayers by Fr John Dunphy, PP Graiguecullen to the Holy Rosary Church in Greystones where he was met by a huge crowd from both Carlow and Greystones. He received a guard of honour from all his friends in the Eire Og Club and finally was laid to rest in Redford Cemetery alongside his mother and father after Requiem Mass con-celebrated by Fr Dunphy and Fr Quinn, PP Greystones. Des is survived by his loving wife Peggy, his daughters Louise, Geraldine and Margaret, his cherieshed grandchildren Hannah, David, Ciaran, Sean, Orla and Niamh, his brothers Eddie, Joe, Willie, Georgie, Peter and Michael, his sisters Maura, Lucy, Pat, Veronica, Clare and Rosaleen, sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of friends. The Mitchell family would like to thank Fr Dunphy and everyone who visited Des during his illness, called to the house, send cards and flowers or just thought of them that day. Thanks also to Dr Moran and his kind staff. Finally, thanks to Dr Doyle and all the staff of the District Hospital, Carlow. Words cannot express what they did for Des or how much it was appreciated. As a mark of respect to Des a minute's silence was observed before the Wicklow v Cavan SFC All-Ireland qualifier in Aughrim on Saturday, a fitting tribute to a true Gael, a gentleman and loving family man. May he rest in peace. Carlow Nationalist, 17th July 2009 Tweet

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