The late Kevin Purcell, Croghan House, Birr

THE DEATH occurred recently of Kevin Purcell of Croghan House, Birr.
Kevin passed away, peacefully, on December 30th, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the beloved husband of Máire and devoted father of Colm, Orla, Niamh, Aedamar, Ciara, Darragh and Kevin. He was much loved and will be sadly missed by his loving wife and family, his daughters-in-law; Trish and Bláthnaid, sons -in-law Donal, Shane and Marty; his adored grandchildren Maura-Anne, Shauna, James, Ali, Jack, Abby, Caroline, Dara, Aideen, Sam and Jess; his great grandchildren Henry and Louise; sisters-in-law Sue, Vera, Claire, Mona and brother in law Brendan; nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His remains reposed at Boyd’s Funeral Home Birr on Wednesday, January 1st, from 5pm - 7pm. The removal took place on Thursday, January 2nd to St. Brendan’s Church, Birr for Funeral Mass at 11am, followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr.
During the Funeral Mass Fr Tom Hogan, co-PP, told the congregation that the Mass was an “appreciation for a life which has made a difference in so many ways. I believe, and I think Kevin believed, that life is for living and living it as best you can and when you go through the trasna time and beyond you will be rewarded.
“It's our faith that those whom we love and lose are not with us but have gone before.
“The poet Tagore wrote:
'Say not in grief that she is no more
but say in thankfulness that she was.
A death is not the extinguishing of a light,
but the putting out of the lamp
because the dawn has come.'
“Someone talked about the twinkle in Kevin's eye. This is a lovely image.
“He was born on August 28th, 1936, the youngest child of Florence and Patrick.
“Today he will be laid to rest with baby John, the first of his siblings to pass away.
“When I think of Kevin I think of the lines in the Seán ÓRíordán poem which begins 'Ag filleadh abhaile' - 'Skipping home from the dance of life.'
“Máire told me Kevin was only sick for the last six weeks of his life.
“He had a keen eye, not only for livestock but for everything that was beautiful. He loved life and he loved the finer things in life.”
Kevin Jnr gave the Eulogy: “Thank you to all who came from far and wide and all the messages; they have been a huge source of comfort. Thank you to the Tullamore Oncology Unit.
“Dad was born in Emmet St Birr. He was one of two girls and eight boys. Dad and his three brothers were among the pioneers in livestock exporting. They exported cattle to the UK, the Middle East and Africa. They pioneered the transition from livestock street fairs to the contemporary, cooperative Mart system. Birr Mart opened in June 1965 and on the first day Dad bought his first bullock. It cost £1.”
Máire moved to Birr in 1956 to work in the National Bank in Birr. She and Kevin fell in love and they married in 1958 and started a life in Emmet Street. They had seven children. They moved to Croghan House in 1975.
Kevin loved travelling and his favourite place was Puerto Pollença in Mallorca. A picture shown to the congregation showed Kevin and Máire in Puerto Pollença. “The picture shows a couple who were delighted in each other's company,” said Fr Tom, continuing - “He adored all his grandchildren and he loved telling them stories.”
Kevin Jnr said his father “was a keen horseracing fan and owned a number of racehorses; his favourite was 'Emmet Street'.
“Driving around he liked picking up hitchhikers and chatting to them,” continued Kevin Jnr. “One day he picked up an elderly lady laden down with bags. They enjoyed great banter as they drove along. The woman asked if he was married. Dad was a bit of a practical joker and he fabricated a bit of a tale for his passenger! When they arrived at her destination she exited the car under the impression that he was the father of 15 plain daughters!
“He had a strong sense of propriety and took great pride in his appearance. He believed in being on time. He was a very sociable man and had friends from all walks of life. He used to joke, there are three ways of doing things - the right way, the wrong way and my way! Another thing he was fond of saying was, If you listen you might learn something!
“Baby John died in 1932, the first of the Purcell siblings to pass. Dad is the last of his siblings to go to God.”
The Presentation of the Gifts included Kevin's hat; his cattle stick; a picture of the racehorse Emmet Street; his prayer book; a picture called “The Man on the Moon”; and a picture of his dog Reilly.
Music was provided by soloist John Molloy, organist Enda O'Connor and the Birr church choir. During the Prayers of the Faithful one of the grandchildren prayed “for all doctors, nurses and carers who work with the sick. Especially Dr Dara O'Hare and Damian Gormally who showed great kindness and care to Gra Gra.” Another grandchild asked God to look after “Gra Gra's family, especially Granny, his wife, and tell him I will mind Reilly his dog for him.” A beautiful poem, written by Kevin and found amongst his effects after his death, was read to the congregation by Bláthnaid Purcell. The mass also included the very beautiful reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians: “The Lord is near. I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord. I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone; the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving. and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.”
Kevin's father Patrick, who died in 1961, was a cattle and sheep dealer. About 1951, Patrick Purcell established Purcell Brothers with his sons Seamus, Michael and Albert (‘Albie’), to export cattle to Britain from Waterford port. Six of the Purcell brothers became cattle exporters, and they cooperated closely even when not formally in partnership. The business flourished until it became an enormous enterprise in the 1980s. It continues to trade strongly to this day.
May Kevin's soul Rest in Peace.