The Mayo News

THE recent death of Joe Gill, Murneen, Claremorris evoked widespread sadness and regret throughout the region. Joe was in his mid-40’s and died following a relatively short illness.
At the end of the Mass in Barnacarroll Church, Joe’s sister Carmel, who resides with her husband Chris in Philadelphia, delivered a beautiful eulogy which captured so much of the life and times of her brother and the wonderful memories she had of growing up with Joseph in Murneen and Mayo.
“Many of you knew my brother as Joe. Many of you knew my brother as Joseph. When Ann joined our family 17 years ago this month, together they became known to all of us as Joe and Ann.
Many of you first got to know Joseph during his years at Murneen National School. It was during those early childhood years that he developed his deep faith passed down by our parents that carried him through life.
Visitors to our home often commented on how Joseph would always stand up at 12 noon and 6 in the evening to say the Angelus. It did not matter what was going on or who was there he always said the Angelus. Gerard and I must have been praying in silence as Joseph got all the attention.
Many of you here first met Joseph during his years at St Colman’s College in Claremorris. During his 2nd year in 1979, he won the Superstar award of the year. This award was given to the best all-round athlete in each year. You did not have to be the best in any one sport, but you had to be the best all around. This is when Joseph developed the interest in sport that he carried through his involvement in GAA, Soccer and Athletics with the local clubs throughout the last number of years.
Joseph loved Liverpool. As kids growing up, I thought only sport was on television at the weekend. English soccer would be on Saturdays and Match of the Day on Saturday nights. GAA was on during Sundays which led to the Sunday Game on Sunday evenings. We only had two channels, but even if we had 150, I’m sure Joseph would have been following sport.
Many of you met Joseph in his 20’s. It may have been at Brush Shiels in the Beaten Path, the Memories in the Club Crystal or out for a night at Midas or Eyecatchers. Joseph loved live music and took me to my first concert – Bruce Springsteen in Dublin in 1988.
In 2000, Joseph visited me for a week in Philadelphia and I tried to return the favour as he wanted to see where Springsteen grew up and the places he first played. We drove by the house where he grew up in Freehold, New Jersey, bars in Asbury Park and the Jersey Shore.
He loved the outdoors and was always on hand to help on my parent’s farm whether it was making hay or silage, feeding the cows or bringing home the turf. He also was willing to help any neighbour who needed help.
Many of you here today were at Joseph and Ann’s wedding 17 years ago. You may remember my brother Gerard, his best man, relaying the story about Joseph’s first date with Ann. On the night of the date, one of the neighbours had asked both Joseph and Gerard to help them make up their hay before it rained the next day. Of course, they helped and Joseph was late for his first date. We are very glad that Ann understood and became part of our family.
From Joseph’s 30’s on, he had the happiest days of his life as he and Ann began to raise Sean, Jamie, Colin and Stephen. He was the proudest father you could have. He got all of his boys interested in participating in sport at an early age.
One year, I came home and there were a number of hurdles built in their front garden for the kids to practice. This was the beginning of them entering athletics and going to Mosney for the Community Games finals. Sean, Jamie and Colin all got to compete in Mosney
– Joseph went there 9 years in a row to watch one or more of his sons compete; and it was a very sad day this year in August when he was unable to go. He travelled all over to events with his kids; from Thurles to Northern Ireland.
Joseph was involved with Knock-Kiltimagh Soccer United, Claremorris Underage GAA teams (Bord na nOg) and the Claremorris Athletic Club. He coached many kids and one person recently said to me that he treated all those children like they were his own. He wanted every one of them to have a chance. He would spend hours contacting parents through phone calls and texts because he knew every child deserved a chance to participate.
On July 17, our lives became to change forever. Throughout Joe’s illness he never, ever complained. Throughout his life he never complained. He was the best patient one could have.
The last time I went to Mass with Joseph was here in Barnacarroll, this past Easter Saturday night. We were here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord into Heaven. Little did I know the next time we would be here together that we would be celebrating Joseph’s life and the beginning of his new eternal life in heaven.
Joseph has left us a great legacy through Ann, Sean, Jamie, Colin and Stephen. It is up to us as friends and family to continue living his legacy through our support of his family. Joseph was all about caring, loving and giving. We need to take this legacy of caring and giving and carry this on in every situation that we meet. Please continue to pray for Joseph and his family.”
Joe is deeply regretted by his wife Ann and family, Sean, Jamie, Colin and Stephen, parents John and Mary Teresa, brother Gerard and sister Carmel, mother-in-law Bridie Flatley, in-laws, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, relatives, neighbours and friends.

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