Passing of retired Mayo Garda Sergeant

THE death has taken place of Michael J. McCormack, Garryduff Park, Castlebar, and formerly of Castletogher, Williamstown, Co. Galway.

A retired Garda Sergeant, he was held in very high regard in the community at large.

His career in An Garda Siochana started in Castlebar in 1960 and he subsequently served briefly in Dublin before returning to Mayo, being stationed in Kilmaine and Ballindine before spending a number of years in Ballyvary.

He was transferred from Ballyvary to Castlebar where he resided with his family before being stationed in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, following his promotion to the rank of sergeant.

Prior to his retirement from the force in September 1989, he served again in Ballyglass and later took up a position on the security staff of Dunnes Stones in Castlebar and remained a popular and well esteemed figure in the county town.

A keen Galway GAA supporter, he never forgot his roots in Castletogher, Williamstown.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, sons John (Galway), Croan (Boston, USA), Jerome (Wilts, U.K) and Darren (Castlebar), daughters Michelle (Houston, USA) and Vanessa (Castlebar), grandchildren Joshua, Ashton (Houston, Texas), J.J, Dominic (Wilts, U.K), Sophia, Cormac and Caden (Castlebar), sons-in-law Greg and Padraig, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

His remains will be reposing at The Coady Funeral Home on Monday from 5.30 p.m. with removal at 7 p.m. to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

Requiem Mass takes place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with burial afterwards the New Cemetery, Castlebar.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.