The Mayo News

The death has taken place of Mr Michael Joe Lavelle, Mill Street, Westport, a well-known and popular figure in the local community.
Aged 79 years, he was a native of Ardoley, Westport, son of the late Joe and Sarah Lavelle.
He was a retired industrial worker and builder.
He will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours, former work colleagues and a wide circle of friends.
He was father of Joe (Upper Carrowbeg, Westport), Martina Mc Donnell (Slogger, Westport), Geraldine (Limerick) and Deirdre (Michael Davitt Park, Westport).
Michael Joe is also mourned by his brothers Christopher (Horkan’s Hill, Westport) and Peter (Belclare, Westport) and sister Mary Pears (Galway), sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and other relatives.
Michael Joe had many interests in life and these included football, horse-racing, pony breeding and boxing.  He also had a special interest in local drama and rarely missed a stage production of St. Patrick’s Drama Group in Westport.
Michael Joe worked at the Reliable Shoe Company in Westport for many years and, when the company ceased manufacturing, he was to the fore in setting up Westport Shoe Co-operative Society which continued to trade successfully for many years.  He was, understandably, proud of the role he played in maintaining jobs in difficult economic times in Westport.
He was also involved with youth activities and was a founder member of Westport United Youths.  He had a great belief that if young people were gainfully occupied in sporting activities they would have neither the time nor the inclination to be involved in anti-social behaviour.
Politically, Michael Joe was a socialist through and through.  He was a stalwart member and the central figure in the Westport branch of the Labour Party and was himself a strong union activist throughout his working life.
He loved horses and was a keen Connemara Pony breeder of some note.  He was a great judge of a horse and looked forward to local annual equestrian fixtures, shows, fairs or races.
Following repose at Navin’s Funeral Home, Westport, his removal took place on Friday, October 30 to St. Mary’s Church, Westport, where Fr Michéal Mannion officiated at the reception ceremony.  The hearse was flanked by a Guard of Honour drawn from the Labour Party, former work colleagues, representatives of other community groups and neighbours, a generous tribute to Michael Joe that his family were most grateful for.
The main celebrant of his Funeral Mass on October 31 was Fr Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ, a former neighbour and school friend whom Michael Joe held in the very highest regard, not least because of Fr Micheál’s own involvement in the trade union movement in Kildare when he was attached to the Sociology Department of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
Family members took part in the funeral liturgy, reading the lessons and prayers of the faithful and bearing the gifts to the altar.  The liturgy was complemented by the singing of St Mary’s Church Choir.
In the Mass homily tributes were paid to Michael Joe for his great faith, reflected in his daily attendance at Mass in St Mary’s Church. His role at a community and trade union activist was also generously acknowledged. Whenever social issues arose Michael Joe could always be depended upon to be on the side of the underdog.
Michael Joe was laid to rest in the family grave in Aughavale Cemetery, just a few yards from his old family home. May his noble soul have peaceful rest.

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