Death of Offaly-based accountant leaves communities in Kilbeggan and Tullamore in mourning
Father of three Padraig Smith well known in local GAA and business circles
COMMUNITIES in Westmeath and Offaly are in mourning after the death of Padraig Smith, Kilbeggan native and partner in the Dolan Smith accounting practice in Tullamore.
Mr Smith, who was 59, had been ill for some time at Tullamore Hospital where he passed away on Sunday (August 30).
He is survived by his wife Fiona, daughters Emily, Jane and Rachael, his mother Josie, brothers Dermot (known to his friends as Dee) and Kevin, and his sisters Brenda, Joan, Una and Ann. He was predeceased by his father PJ in 2005.
Nicknamed 'Johnny' from a young age, Padraig Smith, the first child of PJ and Josie, was a past pupil of the Convent Secondary School, Kilbeggan and went on to become an accountant.
He is widely known for his work with Clara man Dervill Dolan at Dolan Smith chartered accountants in Tullamore.
Padraig was a talented sportsman and Kilbeggan Shamrocks GAA posted a fitting tribute to him on social media.
He helped his club to minor C and under 21 B championships in 1985 and 1988 and then won junior football championship, league and cup medals in 1992 on a team captained by his brother Dee (Dermot is now well known as a regular competitor with Tullamore Harriers). Padraig's other brother Kevin has also been actively involved with Kilbeggan Shamrocks.
“Padraig and Dee were very close in age and inherited their love for Kilbeggan GAA from their late father PJ,” said the post from the GAA club.
Padraig was also on a Kilbeggan soccer team which won a midlands title in the Leinster Junior League in 1989.
The tribute from the GAA club said: “Affectionately known as 'Johnny', Padraig also represented us in Scor table quizzes. He was a fountain of knowledge who anyone would love to have on their team. Padraig was a partner in a successful accountancy practice in Tullamore he ran with another great Gael from Clara, Dervil Dolan. He was a gifted, diligent accountant whose many local clients will tell you he was as straight as a dye.
“There were no airs or graces about Padraig - he worked quietly for the good of the various community groups he was involved with down through the years.
“Above all else, he was a wonderful family man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Funeral arrangements for Padraig Smith, Walnut Lane, Kilbeggan, will be announced later.