'His loss cuts deep' GAA stalwart and ex Laois Councillor's funeral told
‘Michael understood an important truth, that local politics is about the dignity of people’
A funeral for a former Laois Councillor, community champion and Camross GAA stalwart was told his “loss cuts deep” in his home and beyond.
Former Laois Fine Gael Councillor Michael Lalor died peacefully in the Tullamore Hospital surrounded by his loving family on October 31. He was 87 years old.
His granddaughter Michelle paid tribute to him at his funeral mass in St Fergal’s Church in his beloved Camross this afternoon.
“Grandad was so many things to so many people. He was a family man, friend, a community man, a farmer, a forestry worker at Coillte, a Fine Gael Councillor, a hurler. He wore many hats throughout his life, he gave all to every single one of them,” she told mourners.
She recalled his dogged determination in following up on issues for his constituents during his time at Laois County Council from the late 1970s up to 2014.
“He had a determination about him that was second to none and that determination was matched only by his willingness to stand up for the people he cared so much about. That sense of community was such a huge part of who he was,” she said.
She said he would just sit back and talk about what he wanted to change, he got out there and did something about it. She said the door was always open and there was always a welcome and a chat to be had at his house.
“He was a man who believed in hard work and getting things done. Alongside the farming he worked in Coillte and loved working on the machinery, including the bulldozer and the digger. He was a strong active SIPTU member. These were all part of the working life he took pride in,” said Michelle.
She said he recognised that life wasn’t all about work and Michael loved going to the hurling matches. She said he loved social events and he enjoyed traveling. She said he had a great love of Camross GAA.
“He served as Chairman on no fewer than 15 occasions as President of the Club. He used to say that the Camross GAA Committee could keep him on his toes just as much as when he was Chairman of the County Council,” she said.
Michelle described his connection to hurling as a source of great pride. She said after his retirement from hurling he went on to be a prominent referee in hurling in Laois and he was one man she never expected to age.
“He was always so busy, always on the go, always finding something that needed doing or someone who needed a hand. It’s hard to imagine a world in which he wasn’t doing all those things,” she said.
Michelle praised her mother Mary who was by his side when his health deteriorated and his home help who provided assistance. She expressed a “sincere thank you” to everyone who helped out and sent messages in recent days. “It means a great deal to our family to know so many people cared about him and were willing to help along the way,” she said.
Gifts were brought forward representing different elements of Michael’s life. They included the keys to his digger, a rose to represent his love of gardening and his home, a Camross jersey to display his love of Camross and passion for hurling. Other gifts included a hurley to represent his love for and dedication to the GAA. A toy cow represented his love of farming. A plaque with the lyrics to ‘Among the Wicklow Hills’ was brought forward to symbolize his time in Wicklow where Michael met his late wife Mary. A tie bearing the Lalor crest was brought forward to indicate his pride in the family heritage and his term as a chieftain in the clan. A picture of Michael working at Coillte and a certificate representing his years at Laois County Council were also brought forward. A photograph of his family was brought forward because “his greatest pride and joy was his family”.
Parish Priest Fr Brian Griffin told mourners they were gathered to remember a life that was well lived and deeply woven into the fabric of the parish.
“Michael was so dedicated to his family and his community and his county. He was a great example to us all of Christian living,” said Fr Griffin.
He described him as a man “who simply rolled up his sleeves and went to work for the people of Laois”.
“Michael understood an important truth, that local politics is about the dignity of people. About making sure an older person can get down the road safely, a child has a proper place to play and a rural community is never forgotten or left behind,” said Fr Griffin.
He recalled the support he gave to families and his passion about Camross and the GAA.
“His loss cuts deep in his home and in this parish. I suppose Michael’s life reminds us that our time here on earth is measured not by the number of years we live but by the good we have done,” he said.
Mourners joined as Lovely Laois was sung in the church at the closing of the funeral mass before Michael was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining St Fergal’s Church in Camross.
Michael is predeceased by his parents Fintan and Mary, his wife Mary, daughter Bridget, son Michéal, granddaughter Mary Teresa, siblings Mary, Dan, Peter, Dinny, Paddy, Fint, Lizzie and Jimmy.
He is sadly missed by his daughter Mary, sons Fintan and Pat, grandchildren Michelle, Sheila, Micheal P., James, Polly and Michéal, Michael P’s partner Chloe, great granddaughter Rosie, son-in-law Michael, daughters-in-law Judy and Linda, brother-in-law Paddy, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.