Bobby Carroll, RIP, a great person, witty and always kind

The large crowds that attended the obsequies of the late Bobby Carroll, Bellview Heights, Mullingar, were a testament to the esteem and affection in which he was held. So too were the 10 pages of condolences posted on his death notice on RIP.ie.

Robert (Bobby) Carroll was born and raised in Mullingar, the town he loved, and he was known by just about everyone in it, and liked by all. As the second eldest in his family, he was close to his siblings, his older sister Marie, his much-loved sister Antoinette, who passed away in 2007, and was never far from his thoughts, his adored sister Olive, and his younger brothers Tom, Gerry and Peter.

Family meant everything to Bobby. He adored his seven children and his 25 grandchildren, kept in constant touch with them and was always ready with a story, a song or a joke.

In the 1960s Bobby opened his own barber shop on Mount Street, where it is reckoned the chatting probably lasted longer than the haircuts.

He married Evelyn Coen, also from Mullingar, the love of his life, whom he met when he was 15. The couple headed to London, where Bobby trained as an electrician. They returned in 1972 and bought the family home.

Then Bobby’s best friend of 53 years, his brother-in-law, Alec, called him with a job offer. In 1977, he started work in St Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar, a place he loved and where he made lifelong friends. He was never in bad form, forever singing, laughing and telling stories, and everyone he met left smiling. He always said, find a job you love and you’ll never have to work again, and he lived every word of it. He retired in 2013.

Bobby was a strong supporter of Mullingar Town Soccer Club and St Loman’s GAA.

Many of those who posted tributes to him knew him from his years at St Loman’s and from his sporting involvement. He was described as a great character, a great person to have a chat with, witty and always kind.

Bobby passed away suddenly, but peacefully, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, on January 4, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his dear daughter Sandra in 2021, his parents Bob and Cissy, and his sister Antoinette.

Bobby will be sadly missed and always remembered by his loving wife and best friend Evelyn, his sons Mark, Stefan, Robbie and Alan, his daughters Sharon and Aoife, son-in-law Tony, daughters-in-laws Kara, Deirdre, Laura and Lorraine, his 25 adored grandchildren, brothers Gerry, Tom and Peter, sisters Marie and Olive, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, kind neighbours and his many friends and former colleagues of St Loman’s Hospital.

His removal was from Gilsenan’s Funeral Home to the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, for funeral Mass, followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. The family asked that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Irish Heart Foundation.