Monamore, Westport and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Popularly known as Jim Paul, he was aged 44 years and was son of James (Jimmy) and Eileen Noonan, Monamore, Westport.
Jim Paul was a sheet metal fabricator by occupation and was also involved in redevelopment work on various building projects.
Throughout his life he had a passionate interest in sport, especially football and motor racing. He had a great love of music and fishing. One of his great hobbies was the restoration of old cars, something he was very good at.
News of his sudden passing shocked and saddened not just his family but his many friends in Westport, South Carolina and further afield.
Jim Paul was born in June, 1964. He went to St. Patrick’s Primary School on Altamont Street, Westport and later to the Christian Brothers’ Post-Primary School on Newport Road, Westport. He transferred to Westport Vocational School, now Carrowbeg College, and, in his Leaving Cert there won the school’s ‘Student of the Year’ award. He continued third level studies at the Waterford Institute of Technology where he learned the metal fabrication business. Following his graduation from the college he worked with Murphy Stainless Steel in Castlebar before moving to Dublin for a few years to further his career.
This was followed by a decision to emigrate to the U.S. for a few years, but the few years turned out to be eighteen in all. They were great years in his life, during which he made many friends and did lots of good work. One of the delights of his time there were the visits of his parents, family members and friends from Westport. He met his beloved Mannette in New Jersey and they moved to South Carolina where their lovely daughter Trina, their pride and joy, was born. Jim Paul was a very hard worker in metal fabrication and on building projects. He was actually working on one of his projects on the day of his sudden death.
He will be very sadly missed by his partner Mannette Emnas (Mt. Pleasant, SC), daughter Trina, parents Jimmy and Eileen Noonan (Monamore), brother Pat Noonan (Upper Quay, Westport), sister Mary Keogh (Monamore, and The Helm, Westport Quay), brother-in-law Vincent Keogh (Monamore and The Helm, Westport Quay), sister-in-law Cathy Noonan (Upper Quay), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family, many cousins, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Removal was via Shannon Airport to the family home at Monamore, and following repose and the traditional wake there, further removal took place to Navin’s Funeral Home, Westport, where large crowds gathered to pay their respects to Jim Paul and sympathise with his family.
Fr. Micheál Mannion officiated at the reception ceremony in St. Mary’s Church, Westport, with Fr. Francis Mitchell also in attendance.
The concelebrants of Jim Paul’s funeral Mass were Fr. Micheál Mannion and Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ. Family members participated in the liturgy, reading the lessons and Prayers of the Faithful and bearing the offertory gifts, some symbolic of Jim Paul’s life, to the altar. The liturgy was beautifully complemented by the singing of St. Mary’s Church Choir with soloist, Frank McCaffrey.
In his homily, Fr Mannion said many people face all sorts of trials and disasters in their lives and the loss of a son or daughter was one of the greatest crosses that could befall parents, a real test of their faith.
He continued: “Since the news last Tuesday that Jim Paul had died suddenly, there has been a cry of sadness and shock in his own community in Mount Pleasant in South Carolina and here in his native Westport. To hear of a man in the prime of his life taken away suddenly is hard to comprehend and not easy to get a handle on. Many people’s lives have been forever changed; for Mannette and for Trina, they have lost a dear friend and father who was always there for them, who worked hard and provided for their every need. They will miss a fun-loving person, thoughtful, popular, sincere and always there when it really mattered.
I read at Jim Paul’s wake all the lovely things people said about him in South Carolina, things like, we will miss his friendliness, his fun, his presence and help. One person said they will miss ‘Irish Jim’, as he was fondly known, by many over there. For his parents, Jimmy and Eileen, brother, Pat, sister, Mary, brother-in-law, Vinnie, and sister-in-law, Cathy, and all the nephews and nieces and extended family, they will miss a son, brother, uncle and cousin who brought so much happiness and joy into their lives. Many times he visited Monamore and would love to chat and catch up with all the comings and goings. He loved to meet the neighbours and loved to have a drink and a cigarette after catching up with all the friends in the Castlecourt Hotel. People will miss a really nice person who, if he could help you, always would and who was the heart of the crowd and the centre of the party.”
Fr Mannion said that since news of his death came through, people had recalled many memories, funny stories and anecdotes of and about Jim Paul. His parents and family had treasured memories that they would always remember him by.
“In re-living them and thinking about them they will bring you sadness, but they will also bring you joy and much to be grateful and thankful for. Two events stand out for me because I was privileged to be present at both. The first was the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Jimmy and Eileen on June 19, 2007. Jim Paul was home and what a lovely and joyful celebration it was for the family, neighbours and friends. The second event was Shane and Caroline’s wedding just last April. Jim Paul was here again and had a cold. But once he got going he was the last man on the dance floor, celebrating and enjoying the night with family and friends.”
Fr Mannion added that the gospel in Jim Paul’s Funeral Mass was a very fitting one for him. He was a person who loved life, who was always busy doing things to be of help and service to others. He lived his life to the full and in human terms he had lots more places to visit and things to do with his life. Life was busy and going well, but the Lord tells us that he can come and take us to himself at any time.
“The days ahead will be difficult, especially for you, Mannette, Trina, Jimmy, Eileen and all of Jim’s family and friends. These days will not lose your sorrow for you nor fully fill the hole in your hearts. But you must live with the hope and guarantee of God supporting you; it is your faith that will help you in the same hope of the Resurrection and with the promise that you and Jim Paul will surely meet again.”
They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
Jim Paul was laid to rest in Aughavale Cemetery.
A meeting of the Fianna Fáil organisation in Hotel Clew Bay, Westport, on Thursday night was adjourned as a mark of respect to Jim Paul and sympathy was extended to his parents, partner, daughter, brother, sister and extended family on their sad loss. Jim Paul’s father, Jimmy, is President of the Westport Fianna Fáil Cumann.
May his caring soul have peaceful rest. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
