West Mayo community mourns passing of Padraic Staunton
The death has taken place of Padraic Staunton, Hill of Ward and Staunton's Pharmacy, Main Street, Athboy, Co. Meath.
A native of Old Head, Louisburgh, he died unexpectedly while on vacation in Portugal.
He was a son of the late Joe and Breege Statunton, Louusburgh. Joe was a member the last Mayo team to win the All-Ireland SFC title in 1951.
Mr. Staunton took ill while cycling during a holiday with his wife, Brenda. He was aged 67 and father of Colm (Aoife) and Emer (Jono).
A former Athboy Community Person of the Year, he was deeply embedded in the business, sporting, and civic fabric of the town that he made his home since the early 1980s, when he established a pharmacy there, having managed a business there, and falling in love with the town.
He was one of the founding members of the St Patrick's Day Parade, which marked its 40th anniversary last year, and was a chairperson of Athboy Tidy Towns at the turn of the millennium.
He was involved in the formation of the rugby club, and in the cultural group Éigse Uí Ghramhnaigh.
Mr Staunton was instrumental in bringing the Leinster Fleadh Cheoil to Athboy in 2019.
Meath Councillor David Gilroy said the news of the passing of Padraic Staunton cracked the foundations of the whole community of Athboy.
“It is impossible to overstate Padraic's role in the community,” he said. “You could list on one hand the number of people who he didn’t help at some stage through out his life in Athboy.
"The first to volunteer and last to leave. Padraic Staunton's legacy will continue to be written through deeds, his friends and us, his friends.
"His advice, support and encouragement always helped place things into perspective and provided a way forward. My and the whole community’s thoughts and prayers are with his family as they face into uncharted and unimagined territory.”
Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved family on their loss.
The deceased will be repatriated back to Ireland, after which funeral arrangements will be announced.