'A gentle and noble soul’: Mayo community pays heartfelt tributes

Tommy Govin, Thomas Street, Kiltimagh, Mayo, who died peacefully at his home, was formerly of Mace Lower, Claremorris.

He had been in declining health for some time but bore his illness with dignity and great bravery.

His family was his pride and joy and he met Patricia, a member of the nursing profession and a native of Ballycastle (Mayo) at a TR Dallas dance in the Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar.

They made their home in Kiltimagh where they raised their daughters, Niamh and Fiona.

Tommy (pictured) was an employee of Mack’s Bakery for many years in Kiltimagh and was involved with various aspects of the community life of the Kiltimagh region, including being caretaker at Kiltimagh GAA Park for some years as well.

His daily trips in his red van to the farm in Mace were an integral part of his life and he retained an abiding fondness for his neighbours in Mace and around the Five Crossroads region.

Tommy (65) was an absolute gentleman who loved to stop and chat with his neighbours and represented all that was good and wholesome in rural life in this region.

On the weekend in which Kiltimagh captured the Connacht Junior Football title, it is only fitting that we should remember Tommy and his devotion and fondness for the club.

In a tribute to Tommy on his passing, a statement from Kiltimagh GAA Club said: “We wish to extend our most sincere condolences to Patricia, Niamh, Fiona, son-in-law Declan, and all the extended Govin family on the sad passing of Tommy.

"Tommy was involved in the maintenance of Gilmartin Park for many years. He was very diligent and dedicated to his work and maintained the grounds and Clubhouse to a very high standard.

"He was always willing and ready to take on any task that required attention and is fondly remembered by all in the Club.”

Thomas and Muriel McNicholas, Kiltimagh, stated: “When he worked in Macks, Tommy was such a valued member of staff and was a wonderful worker in all his duties.”

Martin Regan, Killedan, and formerly of Cuiltybo, recalled those special years which he shared in Macks Bakery with Tommy who, like Martin, was a former pupil of Cuiltybo NS.

“Like myself, Tommy was there until Macks Bakery closed in November 2002. We had special times there and Tommy was very popular with all the staff. He was a cracker of a worker and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.”

Tommy never lost his love for the land and farming and was big into pedigree cattle. He had a fine herd at the family farm in Mace and was a regular at the big marts in Elphin and Carrick-on-Shannon where he commanded great respect among the farming fraternity.

Reposing was in the Marian Funeral Home, and Requiem Mass was celebrated in Kiltimagh Church by Fr Michael Quinn, PP, and Fr Pat Lynch and they were joined by Fr Tommy Commins, a former neighbour and school friend of Tommy since their days in Cuiltybo NS.

Fr Tommy, speaking towards the end of the Mass said Cuiltybo School was where they all became friends: “Those bonds have endured down through the years. We walked the roads and through the fields to school, got to know all the neighbours and grew up in the safest and best of times.

“Tommy Govin was part of that lovely generation where Mace, the Five Crossroads, Cloonmore, Curneen and Cuiltybo, and later Kiltimagh, were at the heart of his universe.

"He was a man of the utmost integrity, so respectful of everyone, and with a decency that always shone through. Today, we say farewell to a gentle and noble soul who made time for all he met on life’s journey.”

The funeral cortege made its way through Cloonmore, on past the old school in Cuiltybo, and up through Mace Middle, stopping off at the Govin family home place, before proceeding to Barnacarroll cemetery for the final prayer service.

Tommy, who was predeceased by his parents Tom and Josie (nee McHugh), his brother Billy, his sister Jackie and nephew JJ McHugh, will be greatly missed by his wife Patricia, daughters Niamh and Fiona, son-in-law Declan, his sisters Marie, Margaret and Joanna, his brothers John and Michael, brothers-in-law Michael, Cem and Jarlath, his sisters-in-law Mairin, Marguerite and Tina, nephews, nieces, grand nephew, relatives, neighbours and friends.