RIP: Sadness in Mayo community as man dies in 90th year

TOM Higgins, Cloonfaughna, Knock, Mayo, who died recently at his home, was a prominent member of the local community and was widely known in farming circles down through the years. He was in his 90th year.

Tom was a man who was big in stature and big in heart and whose quiet, gentle and unassuming manner endeared him to so many people.

He married his neighbour, Mary Bridget Morley from Magheramore, and they raised a fine family of six sons, all of whom are a credit to their parents and the noble values and culture passed on to them from the previous generation.

There was a sense of resilience and calmness to Tom that resonated with people who met him along life’s journey and it was easy to feel at ease and at home in his company.

Tom had an abiding fondness for the farming way of life and he was a top class judge of livestock.

Hard work came easy to him and he was always serene and at peace while attending to the various chores on the family farm.

In earlier years, Tom did some machinery contract work and was a welcome visitor to many farms around the region. His work was exemplary and always carried out to the highest of standards.

The word ‘gentleman’ has been included in so many tributes to Tom and that he was in every sense of the word.

Sr Mary Corr, Tuam, and formerly of Feamore, Tulrahan, said Bridget Mary and the family had many happy memories to cherish. “He was blessed with a long and fruitful life.

May he rest forever in the peace and love of Christ that he served so well.”

Tom Higgins was a noble and solid man who rendered numerous good and quiet deeds during a life well lived and he made a fine contribution to the life of his beloved community around the Knock and Bekan area.

Reposing was in the Marian Funeral Home in Knock and removal took place from the family home the next morning for Mass of the Resurrection in Knock Church celebrated by Fr Richard Gibbons, PP.

Interment took place afterwards in Knock cemetery.

Tom will be sadly missed by his wife Bridget Mary, family John, Norman, Noreen, Declan, Fergal and Derek, his brother Jerry and sisters Carmel and Mai, son-in-law Gerry, daughters-in-law Sharon, Sinead, Susan, Farrah and Aoife, grandchildren Ailish, Amy, Jordan, Cathal, Maeve, Jake, Niamh, Liam, Grace, Harry, Hollie, Oisín, Charlie and Aoibheann, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Interment took place in Knock cemetery following the Mass in the Basilica.