Mayo community in mourning over death of much-loved personality

The death has taken place unexpectedly of Patrick Rowland, Lahardane, Ballina.

A retired member of the management staff at Baxter Limited, Castlebar, he was held in high esteem in the community at large.

In a tribute, Lahardane MacHales GAA Club expressed sympathy to the bereaved family on their huge loss.

It continued: "Pat was a tall, talented goal scoring corner forward in an era when scores were definitely at a premium and his scores propelled the young club to its first titles in the mid 1970s.

"Pat handed on the corner forward 'baton' to his son, Cormac, who was just as accurate and free scoring.

"After finishing playing, Pat served as a committee member and his wife Louisa had a lengthy spell as treasurer too.

"Everyone - be it neighbours, club mates or work colleagues - was fond of Pat and the common denominator with them all is that he was a gentleman."

Predeceased by his brother Joe, sister Patsy and Mary Philbin, he is deeply mourned by his beloved wife Louisa, sons Cormac and Hugh, daughter Sally, daughter-in-law Marcella (Dunne), son-in-law Xavi, his adored grandchildren Sorcha and Patrick, sisters Mary, Kay, Nuala, Imelda, Carmel, Anne, Sally and Joan, brothers John and Tommy, sisters-in-law, brothers in law, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Reposing at Leonard's Funeral Home Lahardane, from 3 until 6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).

Requiem Mass at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday in St Mary's Church, Bofeenaun, with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.