Former Mayo National Ambulance Service worker remembered upon passing

Tom Clarke, Upper Mace, Barnacarroll, Mayo, whose death came as a great shock to his devoted family and wide circle of friends, was held in special regard throughout the region.

Formerly from Ballykinave, Claremorris, Tom was a man of gentle and quiet disposition who was deeply involved in many aspects of community life.

A gifted tradesman and renowned hard-working gentleman, Tom brought dedication and pride to every task he undertook.

His skills spanned building and farming, operating major chicken houses, plastering, welding and even baking Christmas cakes.

He also served with the Red Cross and the National Ambulance Service and was a familiar, calming presence on the sidelines at local matches.

Despite his many commitments, Tom always found time for his family and for the wider community.

There was a resilience and quiet integrity to Tom that endeared him to so many. His caring and serene nature, coupled with a warm sense of humour, were always evident.

Never one for the limelight, he carried out countless kind and gracious deeds during his 72 years.

The large crowds who attended the funeral ceremonies on both days were a true reflection of the huge respect in which he was held and of the gratitude felt for this unassuming gentleman.

Warm tributes were led by his daughter-in-law, Patricia (née Niland), during the funeral Mass in Barnacarroll Church, where she recalled many aspects of Tom’s life.

Tom was born on January 7, 1953, to Ned and Eileen Clarke of Ballykinave and was one of eight children. After leaving school, he worked with Matt McLoughlin building houses around Claremorris.

One such job brought him to the home of Celia and Bill O’Dea, where he first met Kathleen, the love of his life, when she brought him out a cup of tea.

Tom and Kathleen married on March 24, 1977, and spent the early years of their married life in that same home while Tom built their forever home in Upper Mace. They went on to have four children: Declan, Eimear, Linda and Imelda.

Never idle, Tom held various jobs over the years. He worked for many years fitting milking machines, spent time working in Halal in Ballyhaunis, and later worked fencing with the farm relief service.

This work took him the length and breadth of Mayo and beyond, often travelling by tractor with Declan by his side. He later ventured into poultry farming, renting four chicken houses with Kathleen, caring for up to 80,000 chickens at a time.

A true jack of all trades, Tom had many talents, including block-laying, plastering, roofing and welding, and he always had a project on the go.

If something needed fixing, it was simply left in Tom’s workshop and quietly taken care of. He was immensely proud of his four children and especially of Imelda, the youngest, when she graduated as a veterinary surgeon. He adored his five grandchildren and treasured the time spent with them.

Tom had a particular fondness for this time of year, as it allowed him to pursue another passion — making gigantic Christmas cakes.

He took great pleasure in distributing them to wards in Mayo University Hospital and to the ambulance base. Production was always in full swing, with fruit soaking in bowls in the front room, and some of the lucky recipients received their cakes only days before his passing.

Patricia also recalled Tom’s lifelong devotion to caring and emergency services.

He volunteered for many years with the Red Cross in Claremorris and worked with private ambulance services before fulfilling his lifelong ambition of joining the HSE National Ambulance Service.

His first posting was in Sligo, followed by a transfer to Castlebar, where he completed his final shift just last Friday.

The word “gentleman” was repeatedly used to describe Tom, and rightly so.

He was devoted to his wife Kathleen, often buying her flowers and always looking out for her. They greatly enjoyed their weekly trips to town and were often seen together on their coffee dates.

Interment took place in Barnacarroll Cemetery following the funeral Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon, PP, and assisted by Fr Tommy Commins.

A response car and the ambulance Tom had driven on so many occasions led the hearse from the family home to Barnacarroll Church.

From the bottom of the hill, the hearse was accompanied by a large and impressive Guard of Honour led by officers of the National Ambulance Service, joined by local ambulance personnel and First Responders.

Tom will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife Kathleen (née O’Dea); his son Declan and daughters Eimear, Linda and Imelda; daughter-in-law Patricia; sons-in-law Martin and Daniel; grandchildren Rachel, Cian, Sophie, Maeve and Aoife; his brothers Paddy (Cork), Billy (Ballykinave), Eddie, David (Leface) and Gerard (New York); his sisters Carol Murphy (Facefield) and Mary O’Carroll (Corcullen); brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours, friends and colleagues from the National Ambulance Service.

The Month’s Mind Mass for Tom will be celebrated in Barnacarroll Church on Saturday week, January 31, at 12 noon.