Passing of retired Castlebar Post Office clerical officer is widely mourned

The death has occurred of David McHale, The Curragh, and late of Ross East, Castlebar.

A member of a popular and widely respected family, the deceased was a retired clerical officer at Castlebar Post Office.

Aged 71, he is very deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary Olivia (neè Leonard), brothers Jerry (Belcarra) and Pat (Ross East), sister Nora Nolan (Ross East), nephews, nieces, neighbours, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

News of his passing this morning has evoked an immense sense of loss and grief in the community.

A talented sportsman throughout his life, he played with Castlebar Mitchels and had a number of trials for the Mayo minor squad.

He played for a number of GAA clubs in Dublin during his years at Blackrock Post Office and, on his return to Castlebar, he starred for the local squad in the Post Office GAA inter-league series back in the 1980s.

David was a proud member of Castlebar Golf Club and Castlebar Tennis Club, building great friendships in both sports over the years. He is a former captain of Castlebar Tennis Club.

He was also an accomplished badminton player, attaining premier division ranking within the sport in the region.

David was a keen follower of the fortunes of Mayo GAA, enjoying the post-match debates and banter with his friends over a pint.

The deceased also served as a member of the committee of Castlebar International Song Contest.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

His remains will be removed from Coady’s Funeral Home on Thursday morning at 10.45 a.m. for Requiem Mass at 11.30 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Castlebar.

*Due to government guidelines the funeral at all stages will be private for family only.

Funeral Mass can be viewed on the Castlebar Parish Webcam http://www.castlebarparish.ie/web-cam/ or listened to in Castlebar on the Parish Radio Channel 105.3FM.