Pat McGing

The death took place peacefully on June 9 2016 of Pat McGing of Croaghrimcarra, Killawalla, Westport and formerly of Bridge Street, Westport, following a short illness. He was 79 years of age.
Pat was the eldest son of the late Dan and Maureen McGing, grocer and publican, Bridge Street, Westport. He received his early education at Westport CBS Primary school, followed by his secondary school education at Clongowes Wood College, Kildare.
Having completed his education, Pat returned to Westport where he was integrated into the family business. He worked hard alongside his parents in their shop and bar on Bridge Street for many years, and in the late ‘50’s he expanded the business into a fruit  and vegetable shop next door.
When the shop was was closed in the evenings, Pat was very often called upon to act as maitre d’ for special functions in his grandmother’s Imperial Hotel in Castlebar and he always relished the opportunity to don his tux and tails. It was through his work with the family’s travelling shop, which served a large community, spanning across Aughagower, Kilawalla and Tourmakeady  for over 50 years, that Pat made many good friends that were soon to become great neighbours, when he eventually moved to Croaghrimcarra to take up sheep farming alongside his cousin Petie Gavin.
Pat met Brid in Achill in the early 1960’s. The red haired physiotherapist from Dublin crossing the bridge at Keel on her Lambreta scooter left a lasting impression and they were married in Dublin on September 14 1966. They built their home together in Croaghrimcarra, where they reared their daughters, Maureen and Margaret.

Work
Pat enjoyed many years farming the hills. With his loyal working dogs at his side, he cut the figure of a fine man as he came across the brow of the hill, bringing his sheep in for shearing.
He was to become very proficient at shearing and before long he was winning competitions, in turn this meant his services as a shearer were much in-demand during the summer months and he always enjoyed his annual visit to his many loyal clients and friends.” Not bad going for a ‘Covie’ as he’d say himself!
Throughout his life Pat always had an interest in sports of all kinds. He was fit and active and played rugby and badminton for many years, and he was a founding member of the Westport Badminton Club. He also loved boats and many an evening of craic was had working on and sailing from the Quay in the small boat he and his good friends had built.
Pat was a very active member of the Westport Order of Malta for many years. His duties would vary throughout the year but he always played a major role on the Reek every year for the annual pilgrimage.
He was also very proud to be involved in introducing the first ambulance service to Westport and was on the panel of drivers for many years. He loved his time with the Order of Malta so it was with a heavy heart that he retired from service due to a lack of phone service when he moved out to Croaghrimcarra. He was honoured at his funeral by the Order of Malta when his coffin was draped in their flag and a guard of honor led his cortege through Westport.
In his later years Pat’s two great passions were set dancing and his camper van. He and Brid travelled the length and breadth of the country in his beloved camper. They were frequently seen on the pier at Old Head on a Sunday afternoon and you were always sure of a cuppa or maybe something stronger! He loved the set dancing and he travelled the country to workshops and anywhere Irish music was played. He was a loyal subscriber to the Irish Set Dancing Magazine and his annual holiday to Milltown Malbay for the Willie Clancy Summer School was the highlight of his year. Despite being a big man, people often remarked how light of foot he was and he was never short of a lady to take to the floor with. He loved the craic and banter with his friends far and wide and this was evident at his funeral, on both days, when set dancers from all over the country flocked to pay  heir respects and share their moving and humorous stories of Pat and his dancing skills amd spills over the years.
Pat was a great listener, confidant and friend and was always there to lend an ear or helping hand anyway he could. He had a great sense of humour and fun, and was always a glass half full type of man, despite going through some trying times down through the years.
He was an unending source of support and love for his wife Brid and daughters, Maureen and Margaret. He was never a man for big speeches or grand gestures but a little wink or squeeze of the hand spoke volumes.
He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and all who knew him are the richer for having had him in their lives.
Pat reposed at the Kilawalla Community Center on Friday evening, June 10 and returned home for his final night in Croaghrimcarra before removal to St Mary’s Church, Westport for the Funeral Mass on Saturday morning. Mass was celebrated by Fr Charlie McDonnell , Adm; Fr Micheal McGreal SJ; Very Rev James Quinn and Fr Declan Carroll.   St Mary’s Church choir provided the singing during the Mass which was both uplifting and comforting. His remains were laid to rest at Aughavale Cemetery.
Pat is survived by his wife Brid, daughters Maureen and Margaret; sons-in-law Ger Murphy and Andy Canning; grandchildren, Kevin, Caoimhe, Sorcha and Donal; brothers - Frank USA; Noel, Killybegs and Michael, Westport.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.