'Someone so special will never be forgotten' - tributes to Mayo man upon passing

Michael Tighe, Hollymount, Mayo, who died recently, was a true institution around the region. Mickey, as he was known to all, was known over a wide area and was renowned for his warm smile, good nature and easy rapport with people.

The news of his sudden passing at the family home was received with profound shock and sadness. He and Gertie had returned some time earlier from a trip to Galway.

Mickey was born in 1944, the second in a family of six to Kitty and Matt Tighe, attended Roundfort NS.

Among his first jobs was a spell with CIE before later taking up a job as a bread salesman with local bakeries including Hanley’s (Claremorris), Duffy’s (Ballina) and Western Pride (Ballinrobe).

It was while on his deliveries to a shop that he first met Gertie Hughes from Dalgin, Milltown, who was home on vacation from The Bronx, New York.

A date followed for a dance in the Royal Ballroom (TF) in Castlebar the following Saturday night and it took off from there.

Mickey decided to head over to New York with Gertie in 1971 and they were married there in 1972 where Mickey’s parents, Matt and Kitty along with Michael John Fahy, boarded a plane for the first time at Shannon to attend the wedding ceremony in New York.

Gertie and Mickey spent six years in New York where Shane was born in 1977 before heading back and setting up home in Hollymount.

Mickey made countless friends on his bread runs around the border country of south Mayo and north Galway and was a welcome caller to the many shops that were part of his daily rounds.

He was a pioneer when it came to diversification and among other jobs he did over the years were his famous ‘milk run’, bar-tending, a time in Halal, Ballyhaunis, and the mushrooms in Hollymount.

Mickey was a friend to all and was a central player in the community life of the Hollymount area all down the years.

He was especially associated with handball and won several county and provincial honours along with his brother-in-law, Sean Heaney, in their younger days.

He was also mad into Mayo football and always looked forward to watching the games on television or listening to the radio broadcasts from around the country.

Gertie and Mickey were synonymous with dancing and were big into the set dancing scene and attended numerous céilís around the region all down the years.

They brought joy and sunshine wherever they went and enjoyed the goodwill of a legion of friends on this circuit.

So many wonderful tributes have been paid to Mickey by hundreds of people since his passing. John and Ingrid Fahey, Hollymount, said: “Good neighbours leave lasting impressions through kind words, shared moments and always being there to help.

"Mickey was more than a great neighbour. He brought warmth, kindness and a generous spirit that will remain in the local Hollymount community that he loved. He was an absolute gentleman who will be deeply missed by all that knew him.”

Bernie and Tom Sheridan reflected; “Mickey was a wonderful person and the best friend and neighbour you could have. He made people feel at ease.

"He always had a smile on his face and his memory will live on through the lives of all the people he touched. Someone so special will never be forgotten.”

Michael and Helena Walsh, Claremorris, stated: “Every once in a while, the world is graced with an exceptionally special person and Mickey was one of those people.

"The lives of those who were lucky enough to know him are forever changed for the better. He was a true gentleman and had time for everyone.”

Fr Mike Murphy, in a lovely and comforting homily, told the congregation that Mickey brought light and laughter and love into the lives of so many people. “He lived his life with a kind heart and joyful spirit.

"He had a great big handshake and a smile that made others smile too. These were the gifts and blessings of his life and his enthusiasm for life never waned throughout all the years.”

The vast queue outside the family home on the Sunday evening was testament to the great regard and affection in which Mickey was held by so many people.

There was a capacity congregation for the Mass in Roundfort Church at which Fr Mike Murphy, PP, was the chief celebrant. Interment took place afterwards in Roundfort Cemetery.

Mickey, who was predeceased by his nephew Shane and his niece Máire Heaney, will be greatly missed by his wife Gertie, son Shane (Claremorris), daughter Tara Joyce (Headford), daughter-in-law Fiona, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Aoife, Cathal, Èilla and Tadhg, his sisters Maureen (Heaney, Hollymount), Patricia (Malone, Boston), Irene (Farragher, Partry) and Ann (Tully, Brickens), his brother Martin (Newcastle), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.