East Mayo man who was a central player in the community life passes away

Gerry Healy, who died in his beloved home in Charlestown last week, was one of the true stalwarts of the Mayo town that rubs shoulders with Sligo. He was a central player in the community life of the region down through the decades and commanded huge respect all around the region.

Gerry was a brother of the late John Healy, the pioneering reporter whose columns with the Irish Times brought the issues of rural Ireland much to the fore. His acclaimed books, No One Shouted Stop and Twenty Acres, touched a chord in the hearts of so many people in the rural heartlands. The people of Charlestown, Bellaghy and Carracastle remember Gerry as their local postman, a job that he was born for as he loved every day on his various ‘runs’ and meeting with the people that became his second family.

Gerry was involved with so many aspects of the life of the area and had a great fondness for the local Charlestown Sarsfields Club. He was also to the fore in the heyday of the Western Rose Festival which attracted so many to Charlestown back in those times.

Tributes

Warm tributes have been paid to Gerry in recent days celebrating his noble contribution to his beloved Charlestown. Andrew and Joan Walsh said Gerry’s years were marked with love and devotion to Emmanuel and family and all he met along the way: “His passion for GAA Charlestown Sarsfields sport was carried forward by sons and grandchildren.

Gerard's quiet involvement throughout his family and business life in Charlestown cannot be fully measured or overstated.” James Cafferty, Curry and Dublin, lauded Gerry’s work ethic and community spirit: “I have life long memories of Gerry, originally as our postman and as a member of the Charlestown quartet which included late great characters Pat Philips, Paddy Merriman and Paddy Moran in the Tavern on almost nightly basis. “He was a valued member of Western Rose committee and we are grateful for his goodness to my mother down the years when he showed huge kindness by acting as her postman and messenger as she lived alone. We will never forget you, Gerry.”

His nephew Conal Healy who resides in Australia said: “Gerard has left us a great legacy by his good humour, his kindness and his community spirit.” Reposing was at the Horkan Funeral Home, Charlestown, on Friday evening with removal from his home on Saturday to St James's Church, Charlestown, for the funeral Mass followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Gerry will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife Emmanuel, sons Stephen, Conor and Donal, daughters-in-law Collette, Amanda and Edel, grandchildren Luke, James, Conor, Emma, Jack, Dylan and Holly, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.