RIP: 'He epitomised kindness' - Kilkenny parish bid farewell to stalwart
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Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Aughamuckey lost one of its more senior and respected men with the death of Billy Ryan at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny in the company of those nearest and dearest to him.
From an early age he had a wonderful work ethic and was always there whether the call came from family or his neighbours. Never a man who sought recognition he epitomised kindness in his own unique manner, relating many stories along the way.
He started employment in Carters of Smithstown Dairy fame and then like many of his generation to the Deerpark Mines, and when the mines closed in 1969 he got a job in Kilkenny Engineering Products where he mastered welding, a skill he put to good and practical use on numerous projects.
He also worked for local contractors driving all types of machines. Quiet and steady he lived for his family and they spent many happy days on Monagore Bog cutting and turning the turf. This particular bog was a special place for Billy and he used his engineering expertise to introduce the first bog machine in Monagore.
He didn’t enjoy the best of health for the past couple of years but most certainly would have approved of his final journey from the Church which had a pit stop at Monagore and his residence in Aughamuckey as the cortege made its way to the cemetery.
He was laid to rest in Crosshill Cemetery after Requiem Mass celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception by Fr. Ian Doyle, Associate Priest, Castlecomer.
Predeceased by his mother Mary, father Maurice, son William and brothers Tom, Maurice and sister Ann.
Billy will be sadly missed by his wife Margaret ; sons Billy, Joe, Peter and Maurice ; daughters Mary and Rosemarie ; grandchildren Caroline, Damien, Jennifer, Shannan, Charlie and Hunter ; daughters-in-law Anne, Triona and Cathy ; son- in-law Michael and Rosemarie;s partner Vincent ; brothers John (Kilkenny), Mike and Pat ; sisters Helen (Dublin) and Mary ; nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends.