Molloy, Joe

November 24, 2005
Joe's tragic death stuns community. Joe Molloy had been looking forward to celebrating his 43rd birthday on Sunday with his wife Mary and their four children. Little did anyone think that the man with 'biggest heart in Kilmacanogue', would die suddenly - just one day short of his birthday - as he drove home from Shankill on Saturday morning. Joe died instantly from a massive heart attack. It was a fate that had also claimed the life of his brother Owen, at the same age, just four years previously. Joe himself was wary of the possibility of a heart attack, having sustained a mild one ten years ago when he was in his early thirties. However, no-one could have predicted that the happy-go-lucky father of four wouldn't have returned home on Saturday after heading out early to do a job. He died while driving home at 9.15 a.m., and his car crashed into the median barrier on the road as he headed southbound at Shankill. His was the only vehicle involved in the accident, and there were no other passengers in his car. Joe's death has devastated his native Kilmurry and neighbouring Kilmacanogue, where he will be forever remembered as a man with the most generous of spirits. As one family member said of him this week: 'Joe was just one of those people who did everything for everybody. He was a big man, who was generous of his time.' And time was something that Joe gave of freely, particularly when it came to the GAA, where he was a mentor and coach to many juvenile teams. Joe played juvenile and senior football with Kilmacanogue himself for over 30 years, but his legacy will be the fantastic work he did with the underage teams, and the competitions he provided outside of the normal April to August season. His own children were also involved with the club, and he drove them all over the county with them to matches. He also organised an annual GAA field day in September, and, Joe's good humour always managed to get the best efforts out of everyone. Joe was also the main organiser of the annual golf classic in memory of his brother Owen. A terrific neighbour, he was always the one people called on when they had an odd job that needed doing. And Joe, if he could, would always oblige. However, his greatest love was for his family - his wife Mary, and his four children Andrew (16), Patrick (14), Joey (10) and Anna (6). His is also survived by his father, Owen; brothers, Kevin and Andy; sisters, Patricia, Noeleen, Teresa and Margaret and their extended families. His remains were interred in Kilmacanogue Cemetery on Tuesday following 2.30 p.m. Requiem Mass in St. Mochonog's Church on Tuesday. Courtesy of The Wicklow People 24 November 2005

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