RIP: Longford mourns death of ‘technical genius’ who left an ‘indelible mark’ on community

A man that came to Lanesboro to visit, was quite happy to return to live in the community of his wife where he would go on to leave an indelible mark.

The passing of Philip McGarry, Gardentown, at Roscommon Hospice on Tuesday, August 5 following a relatively short illness and less than a year following the death of his wife Marie brought a great amount of sadness to the area. He was also predeceased by his parents Maurice and Bella and his brothers Maurice and Samuel. 

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Philip, a born and reared Dubliner from what was then the outskirts of the city, Drimnagh, began his working career with the maritime company, Irish Lights, where he received his engineering qualifications and rising to the position of chief engineer which took him on boats all over the world from a very young age. 

Philip met and married in 1976 local Lanesboro girl Marie Greene, then a hairdresser in Dublin, and shortly afterwards they set up their forever home on the banks of the Shannon in Gardentown. 

Philip opened his engineering business on the site of the old bakery on Main Street before moving to his industrial workshop in Barnacor. 

He was a technical genius with an inquisitive mind and the more intricate the job the more he liked it with every job being correct to the minute detail and the admiration he garnished for himself nationally and internationally was immense. 

He had a great love of projects and challenges and his work in identifying all the very old graves with barely legible headstones in St John’s cemetery was no mean task but it became a labour of love for him and a remarkable achievement. He did tremendous work in and around St John’s Church and with its congregation. 

Philip was a very learned man, a great conversationalist with a wealth of knowledge and as his sea life taught him he had a great sense of adventure. 

He was an ardent Dublin GAA fan and a Leinster rugby fan and flying the flags of both he did with great pride and delight.  

He loved gadgets and he embraced all the new technology and what it brought in new challenges. 

While very proud of his roots he was equally proud of his new community of Lanesboro and Ballyleague.

In his leisure time Philip was a man that loved to take a pint so that he could engage people in conversation and more often than not he would be with his cohorts engaging in deep conversations in history, sport and the righting of the world’s ills. 

He was a great character, a great friend, wonderful company and if you were not alert he would let the joke be on you with his renowned Dublin wit. 

Philip’s impish smile, hearty laugh, intelligence and sincerity leaves us with a memory that we are never likely to forget. 

The passing of Philip and his wife Marie within such a short time leaves us bereft as a community of two wonderful personalities.

Philip reposed in Smyth’s Funeral Home Roscommon on Thursday, August 7 before being removed to St John’s Church, Lanesboro. Burial took place in Clonbonny Cemetery on Friday, August 8 following his Funeral Service. 

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To his son Darren, his daughter Tanya, his grandchildren Conor, Naoise, Sionna and Fodhla, his daughter-in-law Edel and son-in-law Bill, aunts, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbours, we extend our deepest sympathy.