Mullingar's All Ireland Scór champion Christy Duffy passes to his reward

News of the passing of one of life's gentlemen Christy Duffy on Monday last, November 14, was greeted with widespread and profound sadness.

A man, who through his writings, his performances and his immense presence, brought so much happniess to so many, had taken his final bow.

Gifted and dedicated, and a man of great humility, Christy, who was born in Mullingar, will be best remembered for his contribution, over many years, to the promotion of the GAA's hugely popular cultural offering, Scór.

A holder of countless county titles, provncial crowns and a coveted All-Ireland cross, annexed in 1978, Christy took as much pleasure out of other people performing his pieces as he did in his own successes.

Christy, who was 82, was the son of the late Christopher and Brigid Duffy. Originally the family lived in Mullingar but sadly Christy's father died a young man and his mother brought her son back to her native Bunbosna.

In 1964 Christy married Mary Daly, who was originally from Tyrrellspass and whose family moved to the Green Road in Mullingar.

Together they raised four children, Sarah, Christopher, Majella and Teresa; and Christy, who was predeceased by his beloved wife, is also survived by his 11 adored grandchildren, Darren, Stephen, Shane, Tanya, Adam, Mark, Rebecca, David, Gemma, Ciara and Cian.

Christy received his early schooling in Balrath but like many young people in that era, he left education early in search of employment and was never idle.

A stint in Bord na Mona preceded his marriage and was followed by placement with Buckley's Hardware, where he was a driver. He also worked both in St Loman's Hospital and with Owen McHugh. For a period he was employed with Rentokil, before moving to Coca Cola.

In 1980, Christy and his wife bought an old shop in Bunbrosna and in tandem with that he became an agent for Snowcream, delivering milk over a wide area of the county.

Five years on, Christy sold up in Bunbrosna and purchased the Irishtown Filling Station before his final move four years later when he opened the Quick Step Shoe Repair business, along with his later son-in-law, Camillus Heffernan, in the Town Mall in Mullingar.

Christy loved nothing better than to regale his customers with great tales and he was a most engaging and personable companion. By this time, Christy was well established in amateur drama and Scór circles, having originally commenced with the Bunbrosna Players.

It was a familiar sight to see Christy arriving with some of his children as he travelled to hall to hall, representing Bunbrosna in Scór, and indeed he was involved in that organisation from its inception.

The pinnacle of his success was undoubtedly his personal success in the All-Ireland final of 1978 but he subsequently was immensely proud when pieces he had penned were taken to the ultimate height by other performers, including current Westmeath County Councillor, Avril Whitney, who claimed her national success in Scór na nÓg in 2002.

Up until stricken with illness, which affected his eyesight, Christy was still writing pieces and he loved to attend Scór whenever possible, meeting with old friends and recounting the great stories from days of yore.

A man of many words, Christy wrote a book 'Bunbrosna, Balrath and Beyond', which was published in the early part of the century, and he followed that some years later with a CD of his works.

In more recent years, as his indepence was challenged, Christy moved to the Newbrook Nursing Home and there, last Monday week, he passed to his reward, surrounded by his heartbroken children and extended family members and nursing staff.

Christy's remains were brought back to his home in Oaklawns, Mullingar overnight on Tuesday last before he was reposed in Newbrook.

His funeral Mass, at which both soloists, Valerie Moore and Joe Phillips - his granddaughter Rebecca's boyfriend - contributed movingly, was celebrated in the Cathedral of Christ the King on Thursday last and he was laid to rest in Marlinstown Cemetery, alongside the remains of his wife and his mother.

Deepest sympathy is extended to Christy's children, Sarah, Christopher, Majella, Teresa, his grandchildren and extended family members, and to his countless friends who will mourn his passing.

Christy's Month's Mind Mass is on Sunday December 18 in St Paul's at 10.30am.