'The drum falls silent on the 17th step.' Tributes paid to retired Longford Quartermaster Sergeant
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Retired Longford Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant, Tony McGlynn passed away this week in Naas General Hospital.
Tributes have been paid to retired Quartermaster Sergeant Tony McGlynn, formerly of Connolly Crescent, Longford, who passed away this week in Naas General Hospital following a short illness.
The Peter Keenan ONE organisation remembered Mr McGlynn as a friend and former colleague, and expressed sadness at his passing.
The wrote, “Tony, or Chubby as he was known by all his army friends, enlisted in 1960 or 61, served in the Congo with the armoured car group, with the 37th Infantry Battalion in 1962.”
They added, “He was serving with the 1st Armoured Car Squadron at the time. He transferred to the 4th Motor Squadron and came to Longford with them in 1972, he served out his time in Longford and was the Squadron QM before he retired.”
“He served in Cyprus on a few occasions, and with the 50th Battalion in Lebanon in the winter of 1981.”
“He was a first-class NCO, a man of few words, quietly spoken who treated those he worked alongside with respect, and carried out his duty diligently and with a minimum of fuss. Rest in peace old friend.”
Online tributes echoed the sentiment, with many remembering him as a soft spoken gentleman, a great character and an even greater golfer.
Said one friend, “Fondest of memories of Tony as a softly spoken man with a great kindness of heart and spirit during our golfing and card playing days of olde in Longford Golf Club.”
A poignant message signed only with the word ‘comrade’ said, “Deepest sympathies to Tonys family, the drum falls silent on the 17th step, rest in eternal peace Tony, duty done.”
Former colleagues who served alongside him in Lebanon also shared fond memories of their time together.
Tony is predeceased by his brothers Seán, Pe, Oliver, Brendan, and sister Betty and sadly missed by his sons Alan and Anthony, daughters Teresa and Deirdre, son-in-law Pat, grandchildren Adam, Caoimhe and Daire, brothers Nicky and Thomas, sisters Anna and Miriam and extended family and friends.
Tony will be reposing at the George Mullins Funeral Home, Kilcullen Road, Naas (Eircode: W91CD0K) today, Friday October 30 from 5pm to 7pm with Rosary Prayers at 6:30pm.
Funeral Mass to take place tomorrow, Saturday October 31 at 10am in the Church of Our Lady and St David, Naas, followed by cremation at Newlands Cross Crematorium.