Offaly town mourns death of great character renowned for his sense of humour

THE death of the late Les Halewood, Marian Place last week caused widespread grief in Tullamore and surrounding areas.

A native of Liverpool, Les had lived in Tullamore with his late wife, Maureen, and family, for the past number of decades, becoming involved in a number of organisations in the area.

He passed away the the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore and will be sadly missed by his loving sons Shane, Kieran  and Darragh, daughters in law Qingfei and Jennifer, his adored grandchildren Maureen, Abigail and Matthew, brothers, sisters, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended.

His remains reposed in O'Reilly Funeral Home on Saturday with burial to Ballycommon cemetery following the celebration of Solemn Requiem Mass in the Church of the Assumption on Monday morning.

Blessed with an outgoing personality and a great sense of humour, Les had a deep interest in politics, both local and national, and current affairs.

He had also been a member of the Tullamore branch of the Irish National Foresters and researched a history of the body in the late 1990s.

Les was also one of the founder members of the Tullamore Phoenix Festival in 2001, along with his late wife, Maureen, and served on the committee for a number of years.

He presented a popular radio show on Phoenix Festival 107.4 FM, “The Three Fivers”, along with co-hosts Regina Vickers and Ger Scully, both also members of the festival committee.

May he rest in peace.