Gussie Wynne - an outstanding Mayo personality recalled
By Tom Gillespie
FIFTY-SEVEN years ago this week, the death took place of one of Castlebar’s most prominent citizens, Mr. Augustus (Gussie) Wynne.
On June 2, The Connaught Telegraph carried an extensive obituary on Mr. Wynne, who they described as ‘the most outstanding personality’.
The obituary read: The death of Mr. Augustus (Gussie) Wynne, newsagent and photographer, Main Street, Castlebar, occurred at the Bon Secours Nursing Home, Tuam, with tragic suddenness on Monday, April 25, 1966.
Youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wynne, of Main Street, and a member of one of the oldest families in Castlebar, from an early age deceased made a tremendous impact on the sporting, social and cultural life of the community until, before his death, he was easily the most popular, most widely known and by far the most outstanding personality of his generation in our midst.
By his untimely death Castlebar had lost its most beloved citizen. Apart from the deep sense of personal loss experienced in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing Gussie and appreciating his worth, his passing will be an irreparable loss to the many clubs, societies and associations to which he gave so unselfishly of his time, his talents, his ideas and leadership.
Of a gay, carefree disposition, full of good humour, wit and amusing turns, he had always some unusual and wholly unexpected contribution to make whether on the stage, in the club, at meetings of the Urban District Council, or at social gatherings.
Through this rare attribute he transformed many a dull occasion into one of animation and laughter and never spared himself in making everybody happy.
On the serious side he did much to have a swimming pool and an airport erected in Castlebar; he had a state grant earmarked for a municipal building; it was on his proposal that the world trout angling competition, with a grand prize fund of £1,000, was founded; and in local golfing circles the ‘Guswin’ competition was the biggest and most enjoyable function of the year.
Despite his heavy schedule of engagements, he rarely missed morning Mass and lived a most exemplary and inspiring life: a very full and noble life of devoted service to his fellowmen, his town, his county, and indeed his country.
The remains were removed to the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary on Monday evening and on Wednesday morning Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for the repose of his soul.
The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Fr. William A. Fair, C.C.; deacon, Rev. Fr. Charles O’Malley, C.C.; sub-deacon, Rev. Fr. Patrick Delaney, C.C., and master of ceremonies, Venerable William J. Nohilly, P.P.
At the funeral, which took place afterwards to the Old Church Cemetery, Castlebar, a guard of honour was provided by 42 representatives of the organisations with which the deceased was associated.
These included Mr. Sean Horkan, chairman; Mr. William Cresham, Mr. Pat Lavelle, UDC, and the town clerk, Mr. J.J. Smyth; Mr. P.J. Howard (chairman), Mr. M. Phelan (vice-chairman) and Mr. Tom Council (secretary), Castlebar and District Trout Anglers’ Association; Mr. R.A. Tarpey (chairman), Mr. S.J. McCormack (secretary), Castlebar Salmon Anglers’ Association; Mr. Sean Gallagher (captain), Castlebar Golf Club; Mr. John Irwin (chairman), Mr. Danny McEllin and Mr. Gerry McDonald, Castlebar Development Association; Mr. Frank I. O’Brien, Castlebar Musical Society; Mr. Jack F. Cahill, Mayo Arts Society.
The general attendance was large and representative of every section of the community.
Rev. Fair officiated at the graveside.
Chief mourners were: Evelyn (widow); Tommie, New York (brother); Mrs. Eileen Moore, Brooklyn, Mrs. May Chambers, Castlebar, Mrs. Nora Verdon, Long Island (sisters); Michael Foley, Dublin, Joseph Chambers, Castlebar (nephews); Mary Chambers, Castlebar; Mrs. Betty Keating, Dublin (nieces); nephews and nieces in USA; Peter Lynne, Robert Moore, Mrs. B. Doyle, Mrs. E. Ringer, Mrs. P. Fallon and Miss Maureen Verdon.
The following two-and-a-half columns in the obituary were taken up with a list of who sent floral tributes, telegrams, letters and messages of sympathy and enrolment in the Purgatorial Society.
Later in the mid-1960s members of Castlebar Urban Council agreed to build a small heated swimming pool on the green at Marian Row/St. Bridget’s Crescent in memory of Gussie Wynne.
The pool and dressing rooms, known locally as the ‘duck pond’, were opened in July 1966 by Olympic medalist Ronnie Delaney and members of Castlebar Swimming Club gave an exhibition on the day.
A plaque was unveiled on a pillar at the gate and the amenity was named after Gussie Wynne (1912 to 1966), the well-known photographer, businessman and angler from Main Street.
The pool was an instant success and was widely used by children from all around the town who received swimming instructions there, until is was eventually closed.
Thankfully, the plaque that was erected is still in place on the green, in memory of what was a truly outstanding Castlebar man.
Gussie Wynne’s premises on Main Street stood vacant for many years and today it houses David Brennan’s Castle Book Shop, which has been lovingly restored and has proved a massive attraction for book lovers.