TOMMY WHELAN RIP
Tommy Whelan passed from this life on 2nd October last. He was an integral part of the Kilmacud Crokes community and worked quietly, away from the spotlight, to great practical effect. People like Tommy are the backbone of any club. As we head to Parnell Park on Sunday next, seeking our 7th Dublin football title, let's remember Tommy in our prayers. We are pleased to publish the short appreciation (below) by Pat Sheridan, one of Tommy's many friends in the club.
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The recent death of Tommy Whelan of St Lawrence's Park was a cause of great sadness within the club. Tommy with his late wife Mary (affectionately known as Bunny) joined the club in 1966 and until Bunny's death in 1989 the Whelans were part and parcel of everything that happened in the club. All the great social occasions and party nights would have Tommy and Bunny heavily involved. Tommy was a true Dub but fell in love with Wexford, where Bunny came from. Indeed in later years Tommy claimed Killurn and Ballyhogue as his first home and Glenalbyn as his second. Tommy spent his spare time in Wexford growing vegetables and always produced a couple of bags of spuds for the Benevolent raffle. He was a very proud gardener and was delighted with the award he won for his giant Sunflower.
Tommy and Frank Foley had their regular bar stools in Glenalbyn where all topics were strongly debated,their 10oc arrival each night was legendary. Tommy was a truly remarkable man, quiet and soft spoken, with never a harsh word about anyone. He was affectionately known as Mr FixIt in Glenalbyn as he was always on call whenever there was a problem, wether mowing machine, tractor, water leaks or electrics.
Tommy worked in Guinness forover 30 years, having joined from Hammond Lane in 1955. When Tommy retired from Guinness in 1986 he could be seen around Glenalbyn on a daily basis. Tommy felt the work he did in Glenalbyn was recreational, and was of great solace to him at the time of his wife's death in 1989. Above all Tommy was a family man and loved nothing better than to be in the company of his children and grandchildren. A true friend to Kilmacud Crokes and Glenalbyn and indeed to all who knew him, he will be sadly missed but not forgotten. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
