Longford saddened by death of skilled farmer who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Gaelic Football

There was a deep sense of sadness across the lakeside area last Wednesday, August 28 when word spread of the death of the late Joe Lynch, Ballinulty, who passed away peacefully in the care of his sister Patricia and her daughter Marion at their home in County Meath. 

Joe was ninety-three years of age but looked much younger and was the son of the late Frank and Mary Kate Lynch, where he lived all his life on the family farm until the last few years. 

Joe was a gentleman who was highly regarded by all for his friendly and humble disposition and the simple and quiet joy he took in all aspects of life. He was a skilled farmer and showed great love and kindness towards his cattle and all the other livestock around the farm. 

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Joe had a great faith and a deep sense of prayer, and lived out that faith in his everyday life, as well as being a weekly communicant at Purth Church and a monthly visitor to Knock along with his sister Patricia. He was a great friend and neighbour to all and was sociable and outgoing; any visitors were always assured of a warm welcome at his home and he was in turn a welcome guest in any house in the area. 

He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Gaelic football and was able to relate details of any All-Ireland final down the years as well as being a fervent supporter of both his home parish of Colmcille and his near neighbours here in Mullinalaghta, and he derived great enjoyment from the success of both teams in recent years, travelling to see their exploits, as well as visiting his sister Catherine in England regularly. 

He received great help in his latter years from his great friends and neighbours Rena and Jack Flood, Hugh McGovern, and Peter and Johnny Hand. He is survived by his sisters Patricia (Trim) and Catherine (London), his nieces Marion, Frances, Marie, and Theresa, his nephew Kevin, his neighbours and a large circle of friends to whom we offer our deepest condolences. 

The warmth in which Joe was held was reflected in the large attendances at his repose on Friday evening, August 30 and at his Funeral Mass on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Church in Purth, which was celebrated by Fr Séamus McKeon, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam uasal agus caoin.