THE death took place last week at his family residence after an illness borne with dignity and courage of Fintan Greavy, Bonniconlon.

He was a brother-in-law of Dara Calleary, Ballina, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

His mother, Bridie, who died in May of this year, was synonymous with the Bonniconlon region over the decades and was elected by the people of the district as a Fianna Fáil member of the Council in the Ballina Electoral Area in the mid-1980s.

Ballina Fianna Fáil was among the many joining in the tributes: “It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of our lifetime member Fintan. He was a kind and gentle soul who battled hard in recent times against a cruel illness. Fintan battled hard to the end and is now at peace.”

Cllr Annie May Reape said Fintan (pictured) was full of kindness and wit and good humour: “I enjoyed all our chats each time I visited the family home and will never forget the hospitality shown every time. He was a good friend to us all.”

Helen Clarke, Bohernasup, Ballina, said she attended Moyne College with Fintan for five years: “Fintan was a gentleman and so helpful in class to all the students.

“ Fintan was a very hard worker and evidence of this was when he received his brilliant leaving certificate. Everyone in his class was so proud and delighted of his achievements.”

Olivia Holmes said she had such happy and lovely memories of when they were growing up and going to secondary school: “Fintan was so nice to everyone, he didn’t follow the pack. He did his own thing and always treated everyone with the same respect and kindness.

He always had a smile on his face and a glint in his eye.”

Enduring kindness

FORMER colleagues from Ballina District Hospital commented in a post: “We will always remember him with fondness, not only for his sense of fun and mischief but for his enduring kindness and his way of taking everything in his stride.

What we have learned more recently through his illness and getting to know you, his family, is that he was surrounded with love from a strong and infinitely kind and caring family.”

Reposing was at the family home in Bonniconlon on Wednesday evening and Requiem Mass was celebrated in Bonniconlon Church last week Thursday with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.

Fintan, who was predeceased by his father John James and recently by his mother Bridie, is survived by his heartbroken family, his sister Siobhán, his brothers Damien and Thomas, his brother-in-law Dara, sister-in-law Eleanor, nephew Daniel, niece Annabel, his aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues at Ballina District Hospital and The Sacred Heart Hospital Castlebar, neighbours and a large circle of friends.