The late Joe McDonald Joe McDonald, 47 Knockenrahan, Arklow, who died recently at the age of 62 years was a man with a great passion for sports particularly the game of hurling. While he showed great spirit and determination when playing with Arklow Rock Parnells in his younger days in the 1960s and 1970s, he showed the same courage and bravery in latter years as he battled against cancer. Joe McDonald was also an accomplished athlete with the local St. Benedicts Club and, like hurling, he was the holder of several championship medals as testimony to his prowess in both sports. In latter years he played golf at the Ballymoney course. As above all else Joe McDonald was a marvellous husband to his wife Kathleen and a devoted father and provider for his children, son David and daughter Fiona. He was one of natures gentlemen and was the life and soul of any party occasion. For 26 years he worked as a plant operator at the then NET and IFI fertiliser factory and before then he worked in Arklow Pottery from the age of 14. A Hurling game between Arklow Rocks and Avondale was called off on Wednesday last week - the day of his funeral - as a mark of respect, while members of the Rock Parnells provided a guard of honour beside the hearse for his funeral. Joe McDonald's passing is mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends, but he will be especially missed by his devoted wife Kathleen; son David, daughter Fiona; son-in-law James Hughes; brother Michael; three sisters, Mrs. Theresa Rossiter, Shillelagh; Mrs. Janie Mooty, Croghan Heights; and Mrs. Kathleen Flush, Fr. Redmond Park. Courtesy of the Wicklow People July 2004 Tweet

Most Read Stories