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That’s the power of dementia though – you can have a heart attack one minute, and forget about it almost immediately.
We had family time, regular picnics on the Down’s Hill that would involve learning to chip golf balls and collecting lilac. We had memorable summer
Dad’s home backed onto Delgany Golf Club, so it was no surprise that golf and the club were a lifetime passion. In his time, he was a caddie, a lounge boy, a member of the Delgany Artisans, and a Club Member since 1961, who successfully represented Delgany in numerous inter-club competitions.
Dad did practical things to help others. When Stephen and I were at school in Greystones he was involved in various school and fund-raising committees.
Having promised not to say too much, I will finish on the most important thing to say.
Seamus & Rita 9JULY21
rom Grattan Park to Bellevue Hill, Seamus and Rita Fitzpatrick have long been a big part of this town.
rom Grattan Park to Bellevue Hill, Seamus and Rita Fitzpatrick have long been a big part of this town.And not even old age was about to stop them from always helping others.
Sam, Rita and Seamus
More importantly, here was a couple who always had a smile on their faces for everyone they met. Despite being parents to Samantha and Stephen.
Following a brief illness, sadly, Seamus is with us no more, and we send out heartfelt condolences to the Fitzpatrick family.
And to pay tribute, here’s the eulogy for the great man, read out at his funeral at The Holy Rosary on Wednesday, January 3rd 2024, read out by his daughter, Sam…
Seamus, Rita & Stephen
Dad had a heart attack on Delgany Golf Course last August. He had finished playing, so it was nothing to do with a dreadful round, or a double bogey.
My husband John found him slumped in the buggy, on his way home, down the second. He helped him in to the house, reheated his lunch for him, and then went to ring me, as he was concerned about the state of dad.
Back in the kitchen, about to ring for an ambulance, and he discovered that dad had skipped out to the garage and was busy cleaning his golf shoes, and poking grass out of the studs. Always get your priorities right!
That’s the power of dementia though – you can have a heart attack one minute, and forget about it almost immediately. Although, last August, with heart and kidney failure, pneumonia, gout, advanced dementia, and countless other ailments that I can’t even pronounce, dad wasn’t expected to live long.
The fact that he lived more than four months in Loughlinstown is testament to dad’s physical strength, and to his doggedness, – and most certainly to the tremendous care he had from all of the wonderful people in Saint Columcille’s.
You’ve either got style… Donie Doyle and brothers Paddy & Seamus
Mum and dad were ten o’clock mass regulars here in the Holy Rosary, and we are grateful for the support mum has had from you all in recent months, from kind words, to lifts to mass, and to the hospital.
Dad appreciated a good funeral mass, but he didn’t like too much waffle in a eulogy.
Mostly because it delayed him getting back to the garden or to the golf course.
So, I promise to keep it brief dad!
He most definitely wasn’t hi-tech, although we decided dad was 3G. His 3G was golf, gardening and God, and in that order.
And unlike some of us hackers, he rarely needed to invoke God, on account of a rubbish round of golf.
The journey begins…
holidays every year, growing up, usually to Donegal and to Wexford.
And his grandchildren and their achievements brought him great joy too.
Of all his golfing achievements, his proudest moment was being elected Club President in 2015.
His favourite annual fundraiser was the Kilquade Cup, at Delgany each year, to raise funds for the parish. For dad it was the perfect combination of golf, community, and a good cause.