Ballina mourns passing of avid boatman and angler

There was a deep sense of loss and genuine sadness around the Ballina area on Thursday morning when news trickled through of the sudden death of Thomas Melvin, Sligo Road, Ballina.

In his 75th year, Thomas passed away peacefully at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.

Thomas, and the Melvin family, had long and deep ties with the Quay area of the town where he attended school.

An avid boatman and angler, Thomas enjoyed nothing better than a day out on the tranquil waters of the River Moy where he spent much of his youth and many of his later years in life, fishing on the river and relaxing on the beach of Bartra Island, a place he was very fond of, a place that gave him a great sense of peace and solace as he took in the magnificent view of Killala Bay and Enniscrone, a town that was also very close to his heart back in the Marine Ballroom days.

He was quiet spoken, kind, and gentle man, who spent many of his formative years in England, like so many men and women back in the '60s and '70s, before returning to his native Ballina.

A popular figure among his large circle of friends, from The Quay area in particular, Thomas had a wide knowledge of all matters relating to the Quay, particularly when it was a thriving port, which brought mostly starch, coal and timber into the town, providing good employment at a time when work was not easy to come by.

But his great love and passion was for the River Moy. He had a great knowledge of the history of the meandering river which sprang from the butt of the Ox Mountains and emptied into Killala Bay.

He was good company, always good humoured, and enjoyed nothing better than sharing his thoughts on the social and political life of the town.

He enjoyed the company of people and his wider family in particular and, like so many of the Melvin clan, he was not slow to give a few bars of his favourite songs, 'Peggy Gordon' and the 'Cliffs of Dooneen', which were sang with great passion at many a family gathering in his favourite watering hole, Keane's Pub at the Quay.

May his gentle soul find those restful waters which brought him such joy and peace during his stay on this earth.

Thomas is survived by his brothers Eddie and Padraic (Dublin), James (Ballina) and John (Castlebar), sisters Patricia McHale (Dublin), Anne Chester and Helen Boland (Enniscrone) and Marie Claire Gallagher (Ballina), sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

His remains will repose at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina, on Sunday evening from 4.30 p.m. with removal at 6.30 to St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.

Mass of the Resurrection takes place at 11 o’clock on Monday with burial afterwards in Leigue Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Croí, c/o McGowan’s Funeral Directors.