43 year journey comes to an end

After 43 years of loyal and friendly service, Killoe bus driver Pat Fox has called it a day, driving his route for the last time on Friday last.

Having started with the CIE in Dublin in 1970, Pat spent 20 years living in Lucan, before moving back home in 1990. Working on the Granard to Dublin service for 5 years, Pat then moved on to the Longford to Dublin service in 1995, where he remained until the service was cancelled recently. Not yet at retirement age, Pat made the decision to take redundancy upon cancellation of the service. “I’m in a good position now to leave”, he explained.

“I enjoyed it” Pat says fondly of his job. “I have great memories” he continues, adding “I made great friends”. Pat’s Longford to Dublin service also took in the areas of Multyfarnham and Wilson’s Hospital school, meaning Pat has had many regular passengers throughout the years. “I never had any problems with passengers” the bus driver happily reports, adding that the Wilson’s school children were “brilliant kids”.

Now on holidays before his official retirement on October 8, Pat will get the chance to “recharge the battery” after more than 40 years of working over 12 hours a day. Pat is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Dorothy and their three daughters.

A keen Killoe supporter, Pat admits he has no major plans for his retirement, but laughs “there’ll be plenty of jobs around the house anyway!” Pat also used to play Pitch and Putt, but was forced to put it to one side for his job. Now though, he explains that he would love to take it up again, adding “If I’m successful at that, I might try the golf”.

Speaking to the Leader on his last day, Pat admits he isn’t concerned about the future. “Once I have my health” he concludes. “It’s very important to have your health”.