Tom Snoddy
Here is an obituary from an Irish
newspaper and written by Michael Purcell who is the nephew of Tom Snoddy.
Mr. Tom Snoddy -- The death occurred at
his home in Quinagh on Saturday, February 11, 1989, of Tom Snoddy, well known
building contractor, who up to a few years ago managed his own successful
business.
Born at the Blackbog in 1911, he was a
life-long member of St. Patrick’s Branch of the Irish National Foresters. His
wife, Mary, died in 1954 and he remarried in 1959.
A large attendance accompanied the
removal to the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday and again on Monday to St.
Mary’s Cemetery.
Very Rev. F. McNamara, Adm., Frs. Willie
Byrne CC, Tom Dillon CC, Denis Doyle CC, Sean Kelly CC, and Fr. L. Lawton
officiated.
The Carlow branch of Irish National
Foresters formed a guard of honour on both occasions.
The late Mr. Snoddy is survived by his
wife Kathleen, sons Pat (USA), Seamus, Thomas, Sam (Quinagh), daughters Mrs.
Maureen O’Regan, Mrs. Anne Molloy, Mrs. Brenda Almond, (Quinagh), Mrs. Teresa
Mayfield, Kent, Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
An appreciation -- Tom’s prayer which he
often recited to me, ended with the lines “If I should die before I wake, I pray
to God my soul to take”.
On Saturday Tom’s prayer was answered.
The passing of a friend is an occasion of sadness. When that friend happens to
be the last surviving member of your mother’s family it adds a further dimension
to the sorrow -- the last of a family of 13.
Tom had come to close quarters with the
grim reaper many times. He was prepared for death and spoke about its coming
many times. He was born into an old established Carlow family, closely connected
with the fight for independence. All were strongly nationalistic. Their home was
an open house for republicans and later anti-Treatyites who were on the run.
Tom was too young to have taken an active
part, but, nevertheless, he suffered with the rest of his family the sadness and
frustration that came with commitment to the cause -- sisters intered, one died,
home raided, brother, Captain Eamonn Snoddy shot dead in 1923, his body not
allowed into a church.
Surviving all that and unlike many who
“boast” of a national background, Tom’s mind did not freeze on that troubled
period. He had little tolerance for republican backslappers and in all the time
I knew him he never expressed any personal animosity when discussing the
Troubles. Along with the rest of his family Tom followed Dev in the democratic
bid for freedom.
To the end he retained an unshakable
Christian faith, a clear-cut philosophy of life and a hold on traditional
values.
When there was a job to be done, Tom
worked hard but never lost his irrepressible sense of fun. With generous,
outgoing personality he loved an “oul gamble” on the horses, a game of cards,
and a sing song.
Tom’s last years were happy ones bound by
the closest ties of affection and confidence with his wife, children and
grandchildren. His advice, moral support, and generosity were administered
freely to all of them.
In his 78th year Tom died in his father’s
father’s place. As he would say himself “sure didn’t I have a good run” and he
was deserving of it.
His wife Kathleen and family, who
supported him in his last days, will find consolation in the fullness of his
life and the many fond memories that remain.
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“God blesses friendships holy bond
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Both here and in the great beyond
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It soars past death on angel’s wing
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How fortunate we are that this is so for all eternity.”
Source: Michael Purcell
