Jimmy Fay – An Appreciation

A phone call late on Tuesday afternoon, you know the one we all hope not to receive, brought back fond tear-filled memories of a true gentleman, who departed this world far too early in his 65th year of life.

Most of Jimmy Fay’s life was spent in Mullingar, first in the care of St Loman’s Hospital, then in more enlightened times in the 80s he moved into the community as part of an independent living process and worked for Westmeath Motors before joining the Westmeath Examiner staff, where he worked until his last day there on Wednesday May 30.

Around Mullingar, Jimmy was a very familiar face – a big man, always a smile behind his heavy set glasses – whether it was bringing the regular sack of Westmeath Examiner newspapers to the Post Office or in his coming and going from the Greville Arms – his favourite place to lunch.

A native of Milltown and long time resident of Mullingar – Jimmy (James) Fay, passed away on Tuesday June 5 at the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar.

He enjoyed his independent living in the last 16 years in a lovely apartment at St Joseph’s, Canal Avenue, Mullingar, where he proudly displayed his photos taken with Joe Dolan, the McIntyre Family (Westmeath Motors) , with many of his colleagues in the Westmeath Examiner and his friend Peggy Daly and her St Vincent de Paul colleagues. Peggy was a close friend and ensured his well being was looked after for so many years.

All these photos, proudly displayed, held pride of place in his well-kept living room alongside his large framed jigsaws. The larger the jigsaw and the more challenging it was, the more Jimmy enjoyed it, and when complete, the puzzles were proudly framed and displayed in his home.

Jimmy also enjoyed a game of pitch and putt and had his own clubs and on many a fine Sunday, would invite me to be his “golf partner” at Lough Owel pitch and putt club.

And in many ways – Jimmy’s life was a jigsaw, more than challenging at times and rewarding and fulfilling at other times, sometimes with missing pieces – that challenged him in life, and overcoming these challenges was part of his life’s journey.

This “hard working man”, as he liked to describe himself, with well-kept work clothes during the week, would be hard recognised on a Sunday when he would dress up for Mass and looked the perfect gentleman. Equally when he was heading for a country music night in the Greville Arms, Annebrook or Park Hotel, none dressed finer than Jimmy.

He always thought things through before responding to a question or before asking a question and often there would be a ‘minute’s silence’ before his well-thought words would be heard. An example of this was only in the last month, Jimmy was in need of a hearing aid ‘upgrade’, so as he was having the new one fitted, a top of the range model (probably the equivalent of an iphone 10 in hearing aid terms!).

The fitting process was highly technical and took a lot of fine tuning, and as the professional proudly finished tuning the new hearing aid, he said: “There you are Jimmy, that will work perfectly,” and proved it by raising and lowering his voice, all of which Jimmy could hear clearly. 

There was no response from Jimmy for a whole minute, and then he said: “There is no volume control,” to which the professional replied: “There is no need Jimmy, it adjusts itself.” 

Jimmy paused again for a minute and then explained: “You mustn’t ever go to the country music in the Park Hotel, y’ed have to be able to turn it up and down with the music.” Fifteen minutes later Jimmy had a new hearing aid with a volume control!

Jimmy was also a self-made entrepreneur – starting up his own weekend and after hours business – as a gardener and general farm help. He was happiest when he was busy and was as strong as an ox, so he enjoyed his many part-time evening and Saturday jobs and the friendships he made with his regular clientele. 

Professional to a tee, he had his own business cards printed up.

A shrewder judge of character you could not come across, as within minutes of meeting you, he had made an assessment of you and his intuition seldom let him down in such judgments. 

By choosing carefully, Jimmy surrounded himself with truly loyal friends, none more so than the staff of the Westmeath Examiner, who constantly watched out for him and did so much to ensure could continue to enjoy his independent living.

Once you felt the firm hold of his big working hands you knew you were in the presence of a larger than life character, whose accompanying broad smile ensured you were in no doubt, but you were with a true friend. For those who knew Jimmy and to be let into his circle of friends, it was truly one of life’s privileges, in which he shared trust and friendship and asked nothing in return.

Over the last year or so Jimmy’s health became another difficult piece of the jigsaw as he struggled to have the support he needed to allow him to continue to live independently. 

This resulted in two recent visits in Mullingar hospital, in ICU, where he was well looked after for by staff, and after the first visit had respite care for eight weeks in Rose Lodge in Killucan, where he endeared himself to the staff. 

Jimmy still longed to return to his own apartment in Canal Avenue and was just back there just one week before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar hospital never to return.

The last piece in this jigsaw saw Jimmy returned to his final resting place in his native Milltown on Thursday June 7, 2018. 

Jimmy – you shone a bright light on those who got to know you and share some your journey. Thank you for allowing me to be one of those so privileged.

M.N.