SUDDEN DEATH The late Tom Cribbin.
Michael Commins
IT was with a deep sense of shock and disbelief that people in the Claremorris and Ballyhaunis areas learned of the sudden death of Tommy Cribbin last Tuesday morning. The popular local postman was on his rounds in Ballyhaunis town when he took ill in Webb’s Butchers Shop on the Main Street.
Tommy, who was delivering post on foot in the town, was chatting away to Mike Webb and Mike Daly after leaving two letters on the counter when he suddenly felt unwell and collapsed in the shop.
He was attended at the scene by a doctor and ambulance crew. His cousins, Cllr John Cribbin, Tony Cribbin and Gerry Winston, along with neighbour Jimmy Walsh and others, all assisted as best they could. He was taken by helicopter to Galway Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Tommy (52) resided with his wife Mary (nee McCormack) and their family, PJ and Lorraine, in Brookhill, Claremorris. He was a native of Knockbrack, Ballyhaunis, where he worked the farm and took care of the livestock. His mother Kathleen (nee Freeley) died just a few weeks ago.
The Cribbin home in Knockbrack was a visiting house over the years and the passing of Tommy and his mother in the space of less than two months has caused widespread sorrow in the neighbourhood.
Tommy was a good natured and good humoured gentleman who took great pride in his work and who was held in the highest regard by his colleagues and all who knew him around the region. He was a devoted supporter of Mayo and a scarf bearing the red and green of Mayo was placed in the coffin during the reposing ceremony on Friday evening.
Reposing was at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Ballyhaunis, on Friday evening. Removal took place from the Knockbrack residence on Saturday morning to Saint Patrick’s Church, Ballyhaunis, where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Stephen Farragher, PP, who was assisted by Fr JJ Cribbin, Fr Peter Gannon and Fr James Quinn. Interment took place afterwards in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
Colleagues from An Post formed a guard-of-honour as a mark of respect to their true and trusted friend. The very large crowds at the ceremonies on Friday and Saturday were reflective of the regard and esteem in which Tommy was held throughout the district.
Tommy, who was predeceased by his parents Kathleen and Paddy Joe, is deeply regretted by his wife Mary, son PJ, daughter Lorraine, brother Seán (John, Leixlip), sisters Katherina Moran and Therese Dillon (Ballinasloe) and cousin Gerard Winston, the family circle, neighbours, friends and his work colleagues in An Post, Ballyhaunis.
Postman dies during his rounds in Ballyhaunis
