Shock at sudden death of Ferbane and Offaly GAA stalwart

Tributes have been paid to the Offaly and Ferbane football legend, Jimmy Lowry on his sudden passing.

Jimmy passed away unexpectedly at Limerick University Hospital in his 66th year.

Predeceased by his parents Edward and Margaret and his brother, Kieran. Jimmy will be sadly missed by his loving family, wife Alice, son Brian and his wife Claire, daughter Jennifer and her husband Mark, son James and his partner Caitriona, his beloved grandchildren Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam and Dara, his brothers and sisters Sean, Eamon, Mikie, Joe, Brendan, Tommy, Mary, Rose and Eileen, along with their families, neighbours, friends and the wider community.
 
Reposing at his home today, Saturday from 4pm until Rosary at 8pm. Removal on Sunday to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ferbane, arriving for Requiem Mass at 1pm, which can be viewed on www.ferbaneparish.ie Interment after Mass in Kilrehan Cemetery.

In a moving appreciation Ferbane GAA club said: "Jimmy Lowry took justifiable pride in bearing a surname that is synonymous with the GAA in Ferbane, Offaly and far further afield. While the immense on-field contribution of his illustrious footballing brothers may have overshadowed Jimmy’s service to Gaelic Games, his own impact stands tall against any measurement.
Jimmy’s commitment, dedication and loyalty to Ferbane GAA extended way beyond what could be expected of any one man – two terms as Club Chairman, the first covering almost all of the nineties and retaining the chair in 2007 and 2008, two terms as vice chairman, numerous years on the club committee, often as Safety Officer, and years of service on Ferbane Hurling Committee, a playing career focused on the small ball that saw success with Ferbane Hurlers, and, not least, a respected referee whose sharp wit, lack of ego and unfussy handling of players enhanced the games under his charge.
Despite the prominence of some of his official roles Jimmy never sought the limelight, though he would get a great kick out of his nephew Shane, in whom he had immense pride, marking his passing with a green and white ribbon in his head gear at the Honda Classic – a lovely appreciation of his uncle.
There were many highlights during a career of such longevity but the success of Ferbane Junior Hurlers in Offaly’s ‘B’ Championship Centenary Shield in 1984, when Jimmy joined his brothers Sean, Eamon, Joe, and Brendan on the team, was a significant milestone for Jimmy.
Jimmy was a tradesman whose building skills are evident in many homes throughout west Offaly with the Mary Ward Heritage Centre a notable illustration of his skillset, but his greatest pride was the Clubhouse and Dressing Rooms development at Ferbane GAA Grounds that took five years of planning and fundraising - all under his stewardship – and changed the face of Ferbane GAA forever.
His self-deprecating manner endeared him to all who knew him, but none more so than his beloved grandchildren Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam, and Dara whose granddad could turn a trip to the bog into a memorable adventure. Whenever and wherever - and it could be anywhere – one met Jimmy, you always left his company with a smile on your face and some mighty stories to retell, though you might be advised to check their veracity before sharing too widely.
Jimmy Lowry worked hard all his life, with a tremendous work ethic that served his club very well, and he refused to allow ill health over almost two decades to dampen his enthusiasm for hard graft. He was a character in the best sense of the term, and his premature passing deprives Ferbane of a man whose generosity of spirit and sense of devilment and craic were renowned. But it deprives his family of so much more – all at Ferbane GAA extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Alice, son Brian and wife Claire, daughter Jennifer and husband Mark, son James and partner Caitriona, Jimmy’s pride and joy - his grandchildren Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam and Dara, his brothers and sisters Sean, Eamon, Mikie, Joe, Brendan, Tommy, Mary, Rose and Eileen, and Alice’s Fitzgerald siblings and all of their wider families.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.