Remembering Collie McCrea, a man who ‘exemplified the essence of goodness’

The death of Connell (Collie) McCrea has been met not only with great sadness but with much fond reminiscing, particularly in Donegal Town and his native Pettigo.

Collie, late of Tullycullion, Donegal Town, died peacefully in Donegal Community Hospital on Thursday last. 

Both his son Anthony and daughter Carmel are residents of the wider Westport area. Anthony is married to Sarah MacEvilly and lives in Killawalla, while Carmel is married to Dermot Kelly and lives in Westport. A lot of people from the town travelled to Donegal earlier this week for Collie's funeral. 

The late Collie was one of Donegal Town’s most recognisable and much-loved figures, having been Santa to generations of schoolchildren. Along with his friend, musician Eamonn Brogan, Collie delighted many a classroom of children with renditions of Jingle Bells and reminders that Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 

The pair also brought their Christmas entertainment to patients in Donegal Town Community Hospital, to the annual Care of the Elderly party, and other such events. And wherever they went, they left behind a trail of goodwill and Christmas cheer.

Always with a thought for the needy, Collie’s collection bucket was never too far away as year after year he donned his Santa suit to raise money for the charity Concern. 

He was tireless in his good deeds, always willing to lend a hand with local organisations including the St Vincent de Paul and the St John Bosco Club. Whenever anyone needed someone to man a table at a church gate collection for a worthy cause, Collie was quick to volunteer. And he was a great asset as his warmth and wit drew people to him wherever he went. 

Born in Pettigo, Collie moved to Donegal Town in the 1960s to take up a position with Joe Kelly Butchers. 

In an interview with the Donegal Democrat some years ago, he recalled a hilarious incident where a pig escaped from the butcher’s yard and ran amok in the nearby Magee’s shop. 

Collie recalled: “Myself and Alfie Simms tried our best to catch it but the tail and ears were so short that there was nothing for us to grab hold of. It just ran all through the shop, causing havoc. Finally we were told ‘Get that thing out of here now!’ but all we could do was keep chasing it to try and get it out the door.”

While best known as a singer and entertainer, Collie had a great love of sport. One of his proudest moments came in 1953 when Pettigo won the GAA County Championship. He played on that team alongside four of his brothers and two of his cousins, the Egans.  

In Donegal Town, Collie became involved in local soccer.
Donegal Town FC posted the following tribute: “Where do we start with Collie? A club stalwart down through the years, he represented our club for many years back in the day, his son Anthony (Pajo) then followed in his footsteps and played for our Saturday team for a few years.

“Collie exemplified the essence of goodness, devoting numerous hours to fundraising for charity. Every Christmas Eve, he adorned himself in a Santa suit, collecting donations on the Diamond, and brought cheerful moments to the patients of Donegal Town Community Hospital as Mr Claus.

“May Collie rest in eternal peace.”

Collie was also a man of great faith, and was a frequent visitor to St Patrick’s Purgatory on Lough Derg. Among his great memories of Pettigo were the busloads of people being brought from the train station to the boats. He recalled singing Hail Glorious Saint Patrick with the other pilgrims as the old boats were rowed to and from the island. The clergy of Lough Derg were included in his fundraising endeavours over the years. 

Collie will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. 

He is mourned by his wife Gertrude, son Anthony (Sarah Mac Evilly, Westport), daughters Carmel (Dermot Kelly, Westport), Maeve, grandchildren Cassie and Harry, and a wide circle of family and friends. 

Collie was laid to rest in Clar graveyard on Saturday following Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Donegal Town.