RIP: Longford and Roscommon mourns death of resolute man who possessed 'deeply rooted community spirit'

Growing up in Ballyleague within a family of great standing and deeply ingrained in the community spirit it was only a matter of time that he would involve himself in the community as a resolute worker. 

Even though out of the limelight for a number of years the passing of Joe Donlon, Strokestown Road, at the Mayo University Hospital on Thursday, March 12 still resonates greatly with everyone that knew him and appreciated the unstinting work he did within our community. Joe was born on the Strokestown Road and lived his life without straying from that road.  

He had a few local jobs including a driver for Tom McNally Garage on Main Street before getting a permanent job with Bord na Mona a manager of their store at the Mount Dillon works on the Longford Road. 

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Joe’s warm, welcoming and generous personality saw him a very popular and highly regarded member of the workforce until his retirement. He had a great and deeply rooted community spirit and he was a highly active member of the Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union where he served as an excellent chairperson, the Civil Defence took up another great portion of his time. Joe also involved himself deeply in Victim Support and was a Eucharistic Minister at Ballyleague church. 

All life he had a great interest in Irish Country music and travelled far and wide supporting his favourite bands, he also had a keen interest in horse racing. Joe’s was a great conservationist and we all have great memories of long and great chat

Joe’s remains reposed at Horkan’s Funeral Home on Monday and at his residence on Tuesday (St. Patrick’s Day) and he was removed to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Wednesday for his Funeral Mass. Following Mass his remains were cremated at a private cremation at Lakelands Crematorium.

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Joe was predeceased by his parents Tim and Mary and his brother Timmy. To his wife Maureen, his sons Enda, Niall, Shane, his daughter Lorraine, his brother Gerry, his sisters Mary and Ann, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.