Shock over passing of prominent Westmeath GAA figure
There was widespread shock at the passing of former Westmeath GAA Football Board chairman Liam Gavin last Wednesday.
A member of the St Mary’s Rochfortbridge club, Liam served on the Football Board for a number of years as secretary, vice-chairman and chairman. He was chairman at a very turbulent time in 2014 when Westmeath struggled to appoint a senior football manager.
Liam was a great Westmeath, St Mary’s and St Brigid’s supporter and served on many committees. He participated on Scór teams and won senior titles in 2001 and 2005.
HBe also had a keen interest in horse racing, being part of a successful syndicate. In a poignant moment, Titanium, a horse Liam partly owned, won on Sunday last at the Curragh for Westmeath trainer Ciaran Murphy. Ciaran's emotion was evident in the aftermath as he spoke of a bittersweet success in the race.
Expressing "great sadness" over the sudden passing of their friend and colleague, St. Mary's Rochfortbridge extended condolences to his wife Sheila and family.
Liam was an integral part of St. Mary's GAA club that spanned many years leaving behind a legacy of service to club and county," said St Mary's, adding that
The club said Liam "contributed selflessly to the life and progress of St Mary's over many decades" and noted that he was "an avid participant on Scór teams down through the years".
"Liam’s contribution to the Gaelic Athletic Association extended beyond club to county level acting as Westmeath Football Board Chairman for a number of years, and a strong advocate of the Westmeath Supporters Club," the club added.
St Brigid’s Hurling Club also extended "deepest condolences" to the Gavin family on the passing of Liam.
"Liam was a great friend and supporter of the club throughout the years. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis," said St Brigid’s.
Liam Gavin of Collinstown Farm, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath and formerly of Fenniscourt, Co. Carlow died suddenly but peacefully at his home on October 29. He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his heartbroken, devoted wife and best friend Sheila, his adoring children Edel, John, Declan and Emma, son-in-law Stephen, daughter-in-law Sinead, Alex and Sinead, his pride and joy grandchildren Charlie, Harry, Oran and Zoey, his cherished brothers Eamonn, Pat and Noel, sisters-in-law Anne, Liz, Rita and Marie, his much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, wonderful neighbours and a wide circle of friends who brought joy and laughter to Liam's life. Predeceased by his father John, mother Tessie, brothers Sean, Tom and Larry, sisters-in-law Fidelma and Ina.
Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rochfortbridge on Monday, with brial afterwards in the local cemetery. May Liam rest in peace.