Sadness in Westport at the sudden passing of Padraic Geraghty

Westport and the wider west Mayo community are in mourning today after the sudden passing of well-known Mayo News employee Padraic Geraghty.

Padraic, who was a member of the printing and production staff of the newspaper for a remarkable 55 years, died suddenly at his home in Carnaclay, Westport on Thursday, May 9. He was aged 71.

Padraic, who was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Kathleen, is survived by his wife Joan (nee Tobin) and their four children, Nathan, Peter, Helen and Mary. He was brother to Sean, Maureen (Gannon), Evelyn (Morris), Josephine (Brogan) and Gerry.

He is deeply regretted by his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-laws, the Tobin family (Castlebar), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, friends and all of Padraic’s Mayo News colleagues.

Editor of The Mayo News, Michael Duffy, said all the staff at the newspaper on The Fairgreen in Westport are deeply upset at the passing of their loyal and genial colleague.

“Padraic Geraghty was a cornerstone of The Mayo News for more than half a century and all of the current staff and past staff are deeply upset at his sudden passing. Padraic joined The Mayo News staff as a printer at the age of 16 and rose through the ranks to eventually become Production Manager. After his retirement, he continued to work part-time with the newspaper and he worked on last week's edition of the newspaper (May 7), and also worked just last Tuesday helping to produce other titles for our new owners, Iconic Media.

“55 years of service to the one company is a remarkable achievement and Padraic worked through all the various transitions that the newspaper went through during that period, firstly when the paper was owned by Foilseacháin Náisiúnta Teoranta (FNT) , then for the Berry family from 1988, and lastly for Iconic Media who bought the newspaper last year.

"The Mayo News was one of the last newspapers to leave behind the hot metal system and change over to a new Apple-powered computerised system in 1988. Padraic had a remarkable capacity to learn new systems and that in turn undoubtedly added to the longevity of his career in the industry.

“But there is no doubt, first and foremost, Padraic will be remembered most for being a loyal and trustworthy work colleague and a great friend. It is definitely no exaggeration to say that every single one of his many colleagues down through the year would not have a bad word to say about him.

“He was a gentleman to his fingertips and was super company to be in. He could hold court in any company and his ability to reminisce about the many ups and downs of his time with The Mayo News was legendary.

“He also had a huge wealth of sporting knowledge, in particular GAA, and could reel off the names of teams from the 60s and 70s, right up to the present day.

“He is a huge loss to The Mayo News, but of course, an even bigger loss to his wife Joan, who he met after she joined the newspaper as a journalist, and their four children, Nathan, Peter, Mary and Helen, who he loved so much. He also had a great bond with his brothers and sisters and our thoughts and prayers are with all of his extended family and his wide circle of friends at this sad time.”

Padraic will be reposing at McGing's Funeral Home, Westport on Sunday next, May 12, from 5pm with removal at 6.30pm to St Mary’s Church.

Requiem Mass will be on Monday, May 13 at 11am with the funeral proceeding to Aughavale Cemetery. Padraic’s Funeral Mass can be viewed on www.churchtv.ie/Westport or listened to on radio at 104.8FM (Westport Radio). Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Croí at https://croi.ie/donate/.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.